Club president confirms Liverpool and Brighton keen on promising 20-year-old defender

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Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in CA Talleres defender Kevin Mantilla according to the club’s president.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have regained their place amongst England’s elite after a season last campaign where the Merseyside club failed to qualify for a Champions League spot.

As for Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton & Hove Albion, it has been another successful season for the South Coast side as they prepare for the last 16 of the Europa League after finishing top of their group.

A new defensive acquisition could be key for both sides as they prepare for a gruelling few months with both sides qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Mantilla interest confirmed

One left-field name who has been linked with both sides is CA Talleres defender Kevin Mantilla and the club president of the South American side Andres Fassi has confirmed there is interest in the 20-year-old defender from both sides.

“It’s true, they have been following him for four months now. And they asked us for information about his physical records,” Mantilla told South American outlet La Vos.

Talleres signed the Colombia U20 international from Independiente Santa Fe last summer and handed him a deal until December 2027.

The president of the Colombian side was also asked if he plans on cashing in on the 20-year-old defender in the winter market and he simply replied “no”.

Who is Kevin Mantilla

The Colombian defender has featured 8 times in the Argentinian Primera Division this season and his current market value is just £2 million, but it may cost a whole lot more for either Premier League side to sign the 20-year-old.

He has made just 43 appearances in his young career and Liverpool were credited with an interest in the defender early in 2023 but never made a move for the Colombian.

He performed superbly well for Colombia’s academy sides and it seems a move to the Premier League may well be in the offing in the near future.

Brighton have a good record with South American talent with Moises Caicedo being the biggest example of their scouting network working to full effect.