According to a report by Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool have set their sights on signing Kevin Mantilla.
The 19-year-old centre-back joins an unending list of players linked with a move to Merseyside, such as Jude Bellingham, Teun Koopeminers, Rafael Leao, Mason Mount and Evan Ndicka.
But now it seems that aside from such high-profile names, Liverpool are also keen on signing an understated prospect such as Kevin Mantilla from Colombian club, Sante Fe in the summer.
Liverpool plotting switch for Kevin Mantilla in the summer
With the Reds’ defence emerging as one of their biggest weak links in a season where things go from bad to worse, it is only natural that the club are planning ahead to bolster their solidity at the back.
Keeping that in mind, it has been claimed by Tuttomercatoweb that Liverpool were stunned by how brilliant Kevin Mantilla was during the South American U-20 Championship, a tournament where Manchester City’s Maximo Perrone also recently participated in.
In addition, Jurgen Klopp’s men are seemingly ready to pay a £3.5 million fee to sign the youngster but he is currently not deemed eligible for a work permit due to existing rules after Brexit.
Furthermore, other clubs apart from Liverpool that are queued up to sign Kevin Mantilla include Porto, Torino and PAOK, with the player reportedly ‘ready ‘to make a big move.
Liverpool may be following in Manchester City and Arsenal’s footsteps
As seen with the successes of Gabriel Jesus and Julian Alvarez at Manchester City as well as Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal, it seems as if the Reds are also scouring South America for their unearthed young gems.
Described as ‘very physical’, ‘technical’, ‘tough’ and a ‘pure’ defender in the report, Kevin Mantilla could end up being a low-risk, high reward signing for Liverpool.
Only time will tell whether the teenager is a signing for the first-team, if the transfer does get over the line.
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