Liverpool and Everton are reportedly interested in and monitoring the progress of Charlton teenager and Under-20 World Cup winner Ezri Konsa.
According to The Sun, Ezri Konsa, who was being heavily tailed during the summer transfer window, is still on the radar of two Premier League rivals – Liverpool and Everton. The Charlton teenager has been grabbing the headlines after being a part of a triumphant Under-20 World Cup campaign with England.
Ezri Konsa is another promising youngster to emerge and take League One by storm. At Charlton, he has been hailed as a prodigy and rightly so. Joining the club in 2010, the player broke into the first-team setup at the start of the 2016-17 season and quickly established himself as a regular.
The 19-year-old finished the campaign with a total of 39 appearances for the side, playing at centre-back, right-back and central midfield as well, highlighting his versatility in the process. Konsa has started the present season in similarly strong fashion, with 10 appearances already under his belt.
Liverpool and Everton could battle it out to sign Charlton Athletic centre-back Ezri Konsa, 19.
— ADEBAYO NURUDEEN (@iamNulad) September 25, 2017
And while there was no movement in the summer transfer window, the top Premier League clubs still remain interested in the player. The report, though, has mentioned the player being in the midst of a battle between Liverpool and Everton.
Indeed, Everton had already snapped up Ademola Lookman from Charlton for a record fee for a League One player in January and are looking to do the same with Konsa.
Liverpool on other hand, believe Konsa can make the instant jump from League One to Premier League – only a few have done so with success. The Reds saw a similar predicament with Joe Gomez and have been active in recruitment of players from the lower leagues.
Both the clubs do boast of a strong English contingent and a youthful core along with managers who seem to trust youngsters as well – all positive indicators for Konsa. But, the report indicates that the clubs are looking to sign the player in January and loan him back to Charlton immediately, a prospect that would be ideal for all the sides involved.
Liverpool & Everton being linked with Ezri Konsa of Charlton. He’s the only member of the U20 World Cup winning squad playing in League One
— Football Fragmento (@footyfragmento) September 25, 2017
The deal would see the club secure the player’s future with them while Konsa can be satisfied with the fact that he will be able to notch regular minutes in the first-team at Charlton, who do not have to worry about replacing the youngster until the end of the season.
Liverpool and Everton both seem to be struggling a bit at the back, which could see Konsa get into the first-team at either club sooner than at other big clubs. It would be interesting to see if Konsa, who has maintained that he wants to stay at Charlton, does get swayed by the promises and charm of the Premier League clubs.
