Liverpool is reportedly set to lose academy midfielder Isaac Konde to Manchester United, with the Red Devils having agreed a deal to sign the 16-year-old and take him to Old Trafford.
Liverpool youngster Isaac Konde
Liverpool youngster Isaac Konde is reportedly set for a move to Manchester United.(Image: (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images))
Liverpool looks set to lose 16-year-old midfielder Isaac Konde to Manchester United after their rivals reached an agreement to sign the youngster in a major blow to the Reds.
Reports indicate the teenager is bound for Old Trafford after United completed the necessary formalities within the last 24 hours. That is according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who confirms United have struck a deal with the Reds.
Konde has made six appearances for Liverpool in the Under-18s Premier League, registering one assist. The move represents the latest step from United to strengthen their youth setup, following a succession of departures in recent weeks.
Premier League champions Arsenal announced the signings of Habeeb Ogunneye and James Scanlon on permanent deals during the recent summer window, while young striker Louie Bradbury also left the club to join Stoke City on a permanent basis.
Liverpool have themselves been active in bolstering their own youth ranks in recent months, having brought in Mor Talla Ndiaye in January from Senegalese side Amitie FC.
Liverpool have themselves been active in bolstering their own youth ranks in recent months, having brought in Mor Talla Ndiaye in January from Senegalese side Amitie FC.
The youngster has already earned three call-ups to the Reds' senior squad, appearing on the bench against Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Meanwhile, Ifeanyi Ndukwe completed his move from Austria Wien earlier this summer, having featured in the Austria squad that made it to the final of the Under-17s World Cup, though he is currently on a loan spell with La Liga outfit Levante.
Liverpool have also confirmed the acquisition of Colombian attacking midfielder Samuel Martinez, who will set the club back in the region of $1 million (£750,000) when he reaches his 18th birthday next April.
Samuel Martinez of Colombia
Samuel Martinez has completed a transfer to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
However, the potential departure of winger Konde will come as a setback, with Michael Carrick's side having kept tabs on both striker Vincent Joseph and Konde.
Both players featured for the club's Under-18s last season, yet neither has committed to scholarship terms, despite Konde having been offered a contract.
Joseph made an instant impact following his promotion to Simon Wiles' squad, finding the net just 10 minutes into his debut during a 4-3 defeat to Sunderland in March.
He rounded off the campaign with three goals in just two appearances for the U18s, having also struck twice against Nottingham Forest.
However, Arsenal have beaten United to the signature of Joseph, with the two clubs reportedly in discussions over a compensation fee last month.