Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on another exciting young French talent, with Le Havre defender Djibril Ouziad attracting interest from the Premier League.
According to an exclusive report from Get French Football News, Liverpool and Aston Villa are monitoring the 17-year-old, who has made an impression since breaking into Le Havre’s first team earlier this season.
There is no suggestion that Liverpool have made an offer at this stage, but it is another indication that the club are continuing to look towards France for emerging talent.
Who is Djibril Ouziad?
Ouziad is a France youth international who has progressed through Le Havre’s academy after joining the club as a youngster.
He made his senior debut at just 17 and has already made nine appearances for the first team this season. He signed his first professional contract with Le Havre in September, committing his future to the club until 2030.
He has been operating at right-wing-back, offering an attacking dimension from the flank. That versatility and potential appear to have caught the attention of Liverpool and Aston Villa.
What makes the reported interest particularly interesting is that Ouziad is already gaining valuable senior experience at a relatively young age.
Could Liverpool need another full-back?
Liverpool’s full-back situation is certainly worth watching.
Milos Kerkez has shown flashes of quality but has yet to deliver the consistency we need, while Kostas Tsimikas’s long-term future at Anfield looks increasingly uncertain.
There are also questions about the right side of defence and how Liverpool want to build their options for the future.
Ouziad is primarily being discussed as a right-wing-back, so he shouldn’t automatically be viewed as a solution to Liverpool’s left-back problems. However, if the club believe he has the potential to develop into a top-level player, he could represent an interesting long-term investment.
I would be keen to see Liverpool continue strengthening both full-back positions rather than relying on the same options season after season.
Another young Frenchman for Liverpool to consider?
Liverpool have already shown a willingness to recruit young talent from France, and Ouziad could be another name added to their scouting list.
The important thing is not to get carried away. Monitoring a player is very different from making a transfer bid, and there is plenty of development still ahead of a 17-year-old.
Get French Football News also reports that Ouziad could leave Le Havre next summer despite signing his first professional contract, although any potential move would need to be negotiated with a club holding his registration until 2030.
My verdict
I like the idea of Liverpool keeping tabs on promising young players, particularly those already gaining first-team experience.
Ouziad is clearly one to watch, and competition from Aston Villa could make this an interesting situation if either club decides to make a move.
However, Liverpool have more immediate squad issues to address. We need quality and consistency in our full-back positions, not just another youngster who might be ready in two or three years.
If the recruitment team believe Ouziad has the potential to become a top player, I would have no problem with Liverpool pursuing him. But the club must make sure the immediate needs of Andoni Iraola’s squad are not forgotten.
By Jamie
(The Kopite View)
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