Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly among the clubs scouting highly-rated American midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting, who plies his trade in the MLS.
According to a report from journalist Tom Bogert for MLSSoccer.com, Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring the progress of 16-year-old midfield prospect Reed Baker-Whiting of Major League Soccer outfit Seattle Sounders.
Baker-Whiting is a product of the Sounders’ youth setup. The 16-year-old spent the 2020 season with Seattle’s USL Championship affiliate Tacoma Defiance, making his professional debut with them and going on to feature six more times.
The young midfielder featured 12 times for Defiance in the ongoing season as well before returning to Seattle Sounders in May earlier this year, signing his first-team contract and going on to make four appearances, two of which have been from the start.
Held in high regards within the club, Baker-Whiting seems to be making waves outside the United States as well, with Liverpool and Manchester City said to be keeping tabs on his progress.
Liverpool have a vast scouting network and have been keeping tabs on talents within the MLS, having previously signed Brooks Lennon from Atlanta United for their academy. The Reds have continued to recruit youngsters with potential as they look to bolster their youth ranks and produce players for the first-team to follow in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones.
Kaide Gordon is a player that they recruited not long ago, with the teenager even making his senior debut earlier this season. They are also keeping an eye on young talents like Benjamin Sesko and Kacper Kozlowski among others. Baker-Whiting, too, has now emerged on their radars, as well as their arch-rivals Manchester City.
The Cityzens are no strangers to the MLS, with the City Football Group owning New York City FC. The reigning Premier League champions have brought in players like Jack Harrison, Zack Steffen, among others, from the United States market and are now keeping a close watch on Baker-Whiting.
The report also mentions German giants Borussia Dortmund as well, who also have a history of signing top talent like Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna from the MLS, are also looking at Baker-Whiting. However, it is also stated that any move for the 16-year-old is unlikely to take place anytime soon with the clubs just keeping tabs on him at this sage.
Even if he was signed, Baker-Whiting would not be eligible to play in any first-team competitions as he does not have a European passport and would, thus, have to wait till he turns 18. For now, Liverpool, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund are all scouting the teenage prospect.