Liverpool are chasing a Colombian talent who could provide a spark in attack.
The Reds have already signed one star from the South American country already in 2022, buying Porto forward Luis Diaz in January. Diaz has been a hit at Anfield so far and helped propel Jurgen Klopp's side to two domestic cups and a Champions League final.
But the Merseysiders have had a stuttering start to the season, with fellow former Portuguese Primeira Liga alumnus Darwin Nunez struggling early on. Liverpool are primed to spend again in January – and one wonderkid has caught the eye.
Pipe Sierra, the same journalist who broke the Diaz news, has claimed that the Reds' scouts are tracking Chicago Fire starlet, Jhon Jader Duran.
According to Sierra, Liverpool "already know the conditions" of a possible transfer. The deal could well be reached for under £10 million.
A leggy attacker who is capable on both feet, Duran is just 18 years old and has lit up US football with his performances for the Fire. Certainly one for the future, he has been compared favourably with the likes of Kai Havertz, Rafael Leao and Bukayo Saka.
Liverpool may wish to ease the teenager into first-team plans over time, with the likes of Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott also competing for spots. Should Duran be pushed into playing sooner, though, he seems capable: the Colombian has a strong build from his age and has taken to the physicality of senior football remarkably well.
Liverpool have dipped into MLS waters this year to scout and last season granted a trial to "the next Alphonso Davies", Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.
Duran is valued at £1.8m by Transfermarkt.
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While Bayern won't challenge Liverpool for Jude Bellingham's signature, they could have to fend off the Reds' advances themselves: Jamal Musiala has been linked with a switch to Anfield. Meanwhile, the Reds are said to have made Inter Milan and Croatia's Marcelo Brozovic a top target.
Liverpool have also been linked with a rising Ligue 1 forward dubbed 'the Ghanian Mane' in recent days, and could reportedly battle it out with Chelsea for the signature of one of MLS' most exciting talents.
Elsewhere, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be on his way back to the Premier League: the Spaniard has been touted to potentially replace Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest.
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