Liverpool FC Rumour Mill

Rumour Mill: Liverpool linked with teenage Nigerian winger Henry Onyekuru

Liverpool are reported to have joined a group of European clubs in the pursuit of K.A.S. Eupen’s young Nigerian star Henry Onyekuru.

Eupen were promoted to the Belgian First Division this season, and are currently 13th in the table having taken 20 points from their first 22 league games.

The unfortunately named Jordi Condom’s side have outscored all but one club outside of the league’s top four, netting 32 times so far.

Their leading goalscorer this season is Onyekuru, who has struck 10 times in 22 games, and according to a dubious exclusive from Own Goal Nigeria, this has sparked interest from Anfield.

They list Celtic, CSKA Moscow, RB Leipzig, Hoffeinheim and Fenerbahce as other clubs considering moves for the 19-year-old left winger, with an agent involved with the former reportedly relaying Liverpool’s interest.

“His agent told me about Liverpool’s interest yesterday when I tried to reignite Fenerbahce’s interest in his services,” the unnamed representative claimed.

“I don’t how long Eupen can hold on to him, he is a very good player.

“[Onyekuru] will most likely leave Eupen before the end of this transfer window despite their hard stance. They could be forced to cash in on him.”

This is decidedly uncertain, particularly given Own Goal Nigeria recently quoted Onyekuru himself as saying he was “not going anywhere in January,” but the No. 21 is an interesting prospect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZP-IFnmOTk


A two-footed left winger, Onyekuru is in only his second season of senior football, and having averaged a direct goal contribution every 107 minutes last term, with six goals and two assists, he has stepped up a level in 2016/17.

Only three players, Lukasz Teodorczyk (16), Jelle Vossen (13) and Orlando Sa (11) have scored more than him in the Belgian First Division this season (10).

Youri Tielemans (7) and Landry Dimata (8) are the only other teenagers to score five or more, with his precision in front of goal making him a formidable prospect for defences.

Blessed with considerable pace and able to time his runs well, Onyekuru often finds himself through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, with his finishing clearly proving effective this season.

Liverpool are short of pacy wide players this season, with Sadio Mane the only senior option and Sheyi Ojo his most comparable deputy, and Onyekuru could be a strong addition in the future.

However, whether Own Goal Nigeria’s exclusive is reputable is highly doubtful, particularly with agent talk often being just that.

It remains one to watch over the coming transfer windows, though, with Onyekuru set to develop into one of Europe’s most coveted prospects if he follows his current trajectory.

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