CONFIRMED: Liverpool wonderkid target SEALS Premier League deal

Liverpool’s academy is renowned for bringing in and developing talent from all over the world.

Harvey Elliott was a young purchase from Fulham and is now a key part of the first team, while recent full debutant Trey Nyoni was picked up from Leicester City and Stefan Bajcetic grew up in Celta Vigo’s youth team.

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As such, the club are always looking for exciting, promising youngsters to continue this trend.

One reported back in the summer was the 18-year-old Turkish defender Yasin Ozcan.

As stated in that report, Ozcan had already become a mainstay in Istanbul-based side Kasimpasa, and he became the youngest defender in Turkish Super Lig history to score back in January 2023 when he was just 16.

It’s not great news for Liverpool, however, as iHA Spor on X, formerly Twitter, are reporting that Aston Villa have secured a deal for Ozcan’s signature.

Liverpool lose out wonderkid race to Aston Villa

The deal, expected to be around €8m (£6.6m), will see Ozcan head to the Midlands early in the January transfer window.

The young defender had already made 56 Super Lig appearances before the start of this season, scoring four times and adding another in the Turkish Cup, and this year has played in all 16 games as Kasimpasa currently sit 10th.

And he gained his first assist of the season for the opening goal in Kasimpasa’s last outing, a 2-2 draw with Istanbul Baseksehir.

The Guardian selected Ozcan has one of their ‘Next Generation’ players last season, as one of the most promising players born in 2006. The piece mentions how he idolises former Real Madrid star - and one-time bane of Liverpool - Sergio Ramos as his idol.

If that is the case, hopefully he doesn’t make his breakthrough into Villa’s starting XI until after the Reds visit Villa Park on 15th March.

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