Liverpool plot pathway for exciting new midfield target after emerging as threat to Leeds Utd in transfer battle
Liverpool are ready to compete with local rivals Everton and existing suitors Leeds United for the signature of Birmingham City starlet George Hall, a report claims.
Hall is only 18 years old but has attained valuable experience at senior level in the Championship already. So far this season, he has played in 18 matches in the second tier, although only five of those appearances have come as a starter.
Still, Hall is highly rated by Birmingham, who have already been bracing themselves for interest in his services.
TEAMtalk recently revealed that Leeds United believe they are closing in on the signing of Hall. They wanted to sign him in the summer, but Birmingham stood firm.
Now, uncertainty at St. Andrew’s is increasing Leeds’ confidence that they might be able to prise Hall away in 2023.
However, it has now come to light that Liverpool are also keen on the England under-19 international.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool have identified Hall as someone they could nurture for the future of their midfield, which is something they are giving serious contemplation to at the moment.
Liverpool’s midfield is in need of a revamp for a number of reasons. For one, it is an ageing department; Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner are all the wrong side of 30.
Besides, in addition to Milner, 2023 will be the year in which the contracts of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Juventus loanee Arthur Melo expire.
Hence, Liverpool need to look to the future. In fairness, they have a few options with potential in their current squad, such as Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.
That said, they are now thinking of who else they could add to the conveyer belt of talent.
Hall is on their radar, since they think he has the potential to follow a pathway into their first team.
However, Liverpool are obviously facing competition from Leeds. In addition, the report claims Everton are also keen on taking Hall to Merseyside.
They also believe Hall can complement what they already have at senior level.
Options open for George Hall
Therefore, the 18-year-old should have plenty of options to take into account when it comes to choosing his next step. Birmingham are also keen to keep him among their ranks, so he will have to weigh things up carefully.
It could be tempting to join a Premier League club, especially one as big as Liverpool. But he is getting a decent amount of opportunities in a competitive league with his current club.
Therefore, he will want to ensure his development continues at a steady rate. The bigger clubs might be viewing him as someone who can share time between the main youth team and the first team, in theory.
As long as they have a long-term vision for him, though – and it seems the likes of Liverpool do – Hall could consider their advances.
Reaching a level like Liverpool’s could be the pinnacle for many players. Therefore, it is at the very least a promising sign for Hall that they could be a potential destination for him.
If he actually ends up going there, it would be a clear symbol of his rapid rise. In turn, he would be hoping to repay their faith in the long term.
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