Why Liverpool signing Jovan Malcolm would be great for the future
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Premier League sides Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in West Brom teenage sensation Jovan Malcolm.
The 16-year old Baggies striker had caught the attention of Reds after his impressive four-goal display against their under-18 side last weekend.
Malcolm has been in sensational form for the West Brom youth side this season with 7 goals and 3 assists from 9 matches so far.
West Brom, meanwhile, will try their best to hold on to the young starlet, who at the moment is ineligible to sign professional terms with them until he turns 17.
The Liverpool coaches, who were said to be blown away by the youngster’s stellar show will now be keen to make use of this opportunity and land him.
Meanwhile, the Reds are on an unbeaten run as they stay on top of the Premier League table after 12 matches with 34 points.
Unlike other footballing powerhouses, Liverpool was rather shrewd in the summer window this season, as they retracted from spending big and chose to spend it on youngsters rather.
Veteran goalkeepers Adrian (West Ham) and Andy Lonergan (Middlesbrough) came in for free, mainly as back-up for first-choice keeper Alisson Becker.
The Reds also signed two youngsters – Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle and Harry Elliot from Fulham under-18 side respectively.
Though Elliot’s transfer details were undisclosed, Van den Berg arrived for a fee of around £1.3m.
At the moment, everything seems to be functioning smoothly for Klopp, and it would be a major let down if something otherwise happens considering their good run of form.
Hence, the Reds’ interest in pursuing Malcolm does not come as a surprise given Klopp’s belief in youth and his desire to look beyond rather than just the present.
Moreover, it is really necessary for Liverpool to bolster their attack as first-team striker Roberto Firmino (28) enters his fourth term at Anfield, while back-up striker Divock Origi (24) is into his fifth season with the Reds.
Though a move elsewhere is out of cards at the moment, what the future holds for both the strikers is always an uncertainty.
At the moment, they have under-17 World Cup winner Rhian Brewster in their ranks.
The English youngster has featured in a few games for the senior side while another forward Paul Glatzel is out due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have plenty of options up front. They have world-class strikers in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Also, with 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli giving a tight competition to the other two after his goal-scoring exploits at the Europa League, Arsenal surely seem to have found a future talisman in the Brazilian.
18-year-old Folarin Balogun and Tyreece John-Jules, who play for the Arsenal youth side are other options they have at their disposal if required.
Verdict
With Martinelli proving his credentials at the senior level, Arsenal surely have someone to look up to but that has not been the case with Liverpool.
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The Reds have Firmino and Origi at the moment but Brewster has not yet made a name for himself on the bigger stage. Hence, the Reds pursuing the young Malcolm seems to be a thoughtful move in the right direction.