Liverpool are weighing up an offer for Levi Colwill but would need the defender to push a move away from Chelsea.
Anfield Watch can confirm that the 20-year-old is now the club’s top target for the centre-back role and the Reds are considering making a bid for him later in the transfer window.
However, the club will only make a move if they receive encouragement from the player’s side. Chelsea’s stance has always been that their youngster is not for sale, while the club have already knocked back approaches from Brighton, who had Colwill on loan last season.
Colwill would have to put in a transfer request to see a deal go through, but we are told that Liverpool have already had talks with his camp over a proposed switch.
READ MORE: Liverpool lay out plans to make Levi Colwill their Virgil van Dijk successor
The Blues have already sold one of their homegrown talents this window, with Mason Mount moving to Manchester United for £50m plus add-ons.
Chelsea are adamant that Colwill will be playing at Stamford Bridge next season and so it is believed that a move to Liverpool is unlikely, withstanding a massive push from Colwill himself.
If a move did take place it would be near the record fee for a defender which remains Manchester United transfer of £79m for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Colwill is open to a move away and thoroughly enjoyed his time at Brighton.
After achieving the Under-21s European Championship for England in Georgia last week, Colwill spoke about his future.
He said: “I’ll speak to my family, speak to everyone I need to and make a decision. I’ve got to play at the end of the day to hopefully get there [England senior team] and go to the next camp.”
Mauricio Pochettino is set to hold talks with the defender, whose contract expires in 2025, when he returns to pre-season.