Image for Liverpool have scouts monitoring “excellent” emerging superstar after trophy-winning heroics
Image for Liverpool have scouts monitoring “excellent” emerging superstar after trophy-winning heroics
Liverpool continue their search for some of the world’s most exciting young footballers, with Gambian star Alieu Saine now reportedly on their radar.
In Jeremy Jacquet, the Reds have signed an elite young player with the world at his feet, with Rio Ferdinand hailing his debut for France in their 1-0 victory away to Belgium on Monday:
“Watching Jacquet play football makes me want to watch more of him, Liverpool have got the perfect player to take over the defence for many years, he’s just 21 years old but the quality in him is beyond doubts as a young player. Well composed player, anytime he gets the ball on his feet, it’s a different story for the team, those line breaking passes and the driving forward with the ball are just so satisfying to watch from him.”
There does seem to be a concerted effort to bring in the most exciting emerging talent around currently, according to Football Insider, Liverpool are “among several top European clubs” eyeing a move for Saine, with rivals Manchester United also in the mix.
It is claimed that the 16-year-old attacker “caught the eye of a host of European sides following his exploits at the recent WAFU Zone A U-17 tournament, where he helped Gambia’s U17 national team win the competition.”
Liverpool “had scouts in attendance watching top young talents at the tournament, and they are set to continue to keep tabs on Saine”, having no doubt been impressed by him.
Meanwhile, the report states that Benfica and Celta Vigo are also “admirers” of the winger and are “making regular checks on his progress”, adding that the Reds are “active in trying to improve their youth ranks with the world’s best talents.”
Can Alieu Saine become a superstar at Liverpool
Saine isn’t yet a household name because he is so young, but he is clearly a big talent with huge potential, given how many big clubs are looking to snap him up.
The teenager would come in as a big long-term project – one with an extremely high ceiling – and journalist Bence Bocsak has had this to say about him recently:
“Alieu Saine is reportedly on Liverpool’s radar. As I’ve said in the post below, I’ve been impressed by him at the WAFU A tournament. Saine is a quick and technically gifted forward. He can play as a CF and as a CAM. He’s best as a supporting striker in my opinion.
“Makes smart forward runs, good at manipulating space inside the box. A very good finisher, with an excellent shot. Decent in one vs one duels. Works well in tight spaces. Good work rate off the ball as well. Interesting prospect.”
It is refreshing to see Liverpool take this approach to transfers, rather than simply focusing on the present and spending big on players who are already in and around their prime.
Building for the future is always vital for the Reds, ensuring they don’t get stuck and have a lack of future stars, and Saine would feel like a major coup.