Sweden international goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt is reportedly a target for Liverpool and he admits that interest from a Premier League giant is ‘a bit surreal’.
No wonder.
Wahlstedt hasn’t even been a first-team regular at Norwegian outfit Odds BK for two years, but is already a target for some of the biggest clubs in European football. According to Norwegian publication Varden, Liverpool want the 23-year-old as a back-up – and potential long-term replacement – for the outstanding Alisson Becker.
“Liverpool is a bit surreal,” Walhstedt smiles, in conversation with VG. “I just get to enjoy that. It gives more motivation to work harder.
“I follow along, and people tell me that there are (scouts) watching me at matches. But I try not to think too much about it. I feel that I have managed (the interest) well.”
When pressed further on whether Liverpool have been in contact, Wahlstedt remained coy.
“I have no comment on that.”
Liverpool, Leeds and Man United like Leopold Walhstedt
Manchester United have also scouted the 6ft 3ins shot-stopper. Ditto a Leeds United side who could lose Illan Meslier this summer, the Frenchman still very highly coveted despite a series of errors in recent weeks, per the Daily Mail.
“Leo has had a phenomenal development,” explains Odd coach Pal Arne Johansen. “He has made his debut in the Swedish national team.”
Liverpool are also keeping tabs on another rising star of goalkeeping, Anderlecht’s Bart Verbruggen. He, like Wahlstedt, has only recently started playing regular first-team football, but a remarkable run of clean sheets since the turn of the year has some wondering of Verbruggen has already outgrown the relatively small pond that is Belgium’s Jupiler League.
“I would leave in the summer. He is only 20. But he is already ready for the Premier League,” Filip de Wilde, a seven-time Belgian league champion, tells Le Soir.
Liverpool’s interest in both Verbruggen and Walhstedt may raise doubts over the future of Caoimhin Kelleher at Anfield.
With his 25th birthday approaching, Kelleher appears to be running out of patience on the Anfield bench.
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