Liverpool 'tracking' 18-year-old Norway star who turned down Chelsea

Liverpool are 'tracking' Club Brugge forward Antonio Nusa, who rejected interest from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

The 18-year-old is one of the emerging talents of the Belgian Pro League, having made the move from Norwegian club Stabæk back in 2021.

Born to a Nigerian father, Nusa scored on his senior Norway debut in August during a 6-0 friendly win over Jordan.

90min report that Liverpool, as well as Arsenal and Newcastle have sent scouts to watch the young talent 'in recent weeks', while continental heavyweights Ajax, Dortmund, Lyon and Monaco are all keeping an eye on his development.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard claim as many as 20 clubs are interested in the teenager.

Chelsea too are among Nusa's suitors, having made a bid – reportedly of around £25m – for the player over the summer.

Speaking to TV2 about Chelsea's bid, Nusa revealed that he and Brugge were 'on the same page' when it came to making the move this summer, though he is already thinking about his next career steps.

He said: "We had a match that day against Osasuna, so I didn't find out about it [Chelsea's bid] until after the match. I saw there was a lot of stuff on my mobile phone. My phone exploded after the match. Then I wondered what happened. Then I realised.

"I already knew that it wasn't going to happen [this summer]. But then the money came on the table. Then it was seen in a slightly different way. We had to have another conversation when the money arrived, but we were on the same page, so there was no problem there. I knew what to do anyway, so it was fine.

"Now I'm in a situation where I want the next step, when it happens, to be something I've really thought through. I want to find what is right for me. It is important to me. I think about what is best for me. Right now it's perfect, sort of, so you just don't stress too much, things will come along."

Typically playing off the left wing, Nusa has one goal and one assist in four Belgian Pro League outings so far in 2023/24.

Last September, he became the second-youngest goalscorer in Champions League history after netting in a 4-0 win over Porto.