Liverpool are the frontrunners to secure the signing of 16-year-old Dundee United prodigy Kerr Smith, who Manchester United and Everton also want.
According to The Sun, Liverpool are leading arch-rivals Manchester United and Everton in the race to sign Dundee United’s teenage defensive prospect Kerr Smith.
The 16-year-old is a product of the Dundee United academy. Having impressed heavily with the youth ranks, Smith was promoted to the reserves late last year and was fast-tracked into the first-team earlier in 2021, making his debut in February aged 16 years and 2 months.
Since then, Smith has been in and around the Dundee United first-team, making 11 appearances, six of which have come in the ongoing campaign. A versatile defender, the 16-year-old started as a centre-back last season but has been used in the right-back slot on occasions this season, and he has made a fine impression.
In fact, as per the report, Smith is regarded as one of the finest players in his age group in Scotland, which has led to interest from down south in England. The likes of Leeds United, Crystal Palace had been linked with the teenage prodigy back in the summer, while Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton are now vying for the 16-year-old prospect’s signing.
Liverpool have been following the youngster and have been impressed by his development. The Reds have been focusing on strengthening their youth ranks with an eye on the future. Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon are some of the finest young talents that Liverpool have signed in recent times, with Fulham prodigy Fabio Carvalho also on the radars.
Smith, too, has now emerged as a potential target for the Merseysiders. Liverpool hope the 16-year-old could follow a similar career path as fellow Scotsman Andrew Robertson and become a mainstay in the future at Anfield. However, they are not the only club interested in the Dundee United prospect, with rivals Manchester United also keen.
The Red Devils have also been paid a lot of attention towards recruiting some of the most talented young players to their youth and reserve teams ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over. They even recently pried away Ethan Ennis from Liverpool and continue to be on the lookout for youngsters, with Smith on their radars.
Everton are also interested in the teenage defender, who can play at right-back and centre-back. With captain Seamus Coleman in the final stages of his career, Smith can be groomed to take over from him in the first team in a couple of years. However, as per the report, it is Liverpool that are the frontrunners to capture the signing of the Dundee United starlet.
It remains to be seen if the Reds actually go on to clinch the signing of the 16-year-old or if they are beaten to his signing by their rival clubs.