Liverpool youngster Trent Kone-Doherty is in talks over a move to Norwegian club FK Molde.
The Irishman has been seen as one of the Reds’ most promising young players since his arrival at Anfield in 2022, but his stay with the club could be coming to a close.
According to The Athletic, Kone-Doherty is keen to play more senior football having made only two appearances in almost four years with Liverpool.
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As a result, he is reportedly in discussions over a permanent move to Norway, with the Eliteserien transfer window open until March 27th.
Kone-Doherty is out of contract this summer, meaning Liverpool would still be able to recoup a fee on a player they signed for almost £150k as a 16-year-old.
Analysis: Liverpool must not stand in Kone-Doherty’s way
When Kone-Doherty arrived in 2022, he was seen by many as being in the same bracket as fellow new arrival Ben Doak.
While he ultimately may not have progressed as quickly as Doak, the Irish youngster still did plenty of good things in the Liverpool academy.
Trent Kone-Doherty in action for Liverpool during their UEFA Youth League match against Galatasaray.
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Kone-Doherty scored some ‘magnificent’ goals during last season’s UEFA Youth League tournament and has been a consistent source of goals for both the U18s and, latterly, the U21s.
But as his lack of appearances for Liverpool at senior level illustrates, he is not getting into Arne Slot’s first-team any time soon.
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A move to Norway looks like a slightly odd choice, and it will be a gamble from Kone-Doherty if he heads into the relative football wilderness. However, if it leads to first-team minutes for a club regularly competing in European competition, it may end up being a shrewd decision.
From Liverpool’s point of view, it will be a shame to lose a player who could still have developed and, if not made it to the first-team, at least given them a profit on their 2022 investment. Nevertheless, if Kone-Doherty’s decision is to leave, the Reds must not stand in his way.
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