Report: Liverpool want Nottingham Forest’s Matthew Bondswell, a boyhood Reds fan

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Matthew Bondswell could quit Championship outfit Nottingham Forest for Premier League giants Liverpool or Manchester United.

Nottingham Forest face a major challenge holding onto one of their biggest talents this summer.

The Mail (live transfer blog, 11.25am) reported on Tuesday that Manchester United had entered talks with the 16-year-old left-back Matthew Bondswell.

It is understood that Forest have offered the England youth ace his first professional contract but no agreement has been reached just yet, giving Manchester United hope that they can swoop in and sign the latest coveted starlet to emerge from the Forest academy.

And ESPN is now reporting that there is another Premier League giant keen on Bondswell. The report claims that Liverpool are also interested and they could have an advantage over their bitter north west rivals given that Bondswell grew up as a Liverpool fan.

ESPN add that Forest are determined to keep the teenager, who has been a regular for their U18 side. But Bondswell has rejected numerous offers to commit his future to the City Ground thus far, suggesting he could be on his way out with Forest powerless to prevent his departure.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shown a refreshing willingness to give youth a chance at Anfield, reflected by the fact that Trend Alexander-Arnold seems certain to start the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho, however, has been criticised constantly over the years for an apparent reluctance to blood the next generation.