10 months ago
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CA Talleres president Andres Fassi has confirmed both Liverpool and Brighton have made contact over a possible move for centre-back Kevin Mantilla.
Mantilla, 20, has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Colombia and has caught the attention of some of Europe’s elite clubs, with Liverpool’s interest understood to stretch back to the defender’s time atIndependiente Santa Fe.
The sought-after youngster – capped 24 times by the Colombia Under-20 national team – joined CA Talleres from Santa Fe last summer and put pen to paper on a contract which runs through to 2027.
Reports last month claimed Brexit-related work visa issues had been proved a stumbling block in a potential switch to Merseyside which had forced Liverpool to consider their options elsewhere.
But the interest from both Liverpool and Brighton remains strong, with both Premier League clubs scouring the market for defensive reinforcements and earmarking Mantilla as a player for the future.
‘It’s true, they have been following him for four months now,’ Fassi told La Voz.
‘They asked us for information about his physical records.’
However, it appears Liverpool and Brighton will have to be patient in their pursuit of Mantilla given CA Talleres have no interest in cashing in on the Colombia Under-20 international before the January transfer deadline.
Asked whether Mantilla could be on the move this month, Fassi bluntly replied: ‘No.’
While Liverpool are yet to add to their squad this winter, Jurgen Klopp has refused to rule out the possibility of reinforcements being brought in before the January transfer window slams shut.
According to ex-Liverpool and England man Jamie Carragher, the Reds ‘have to bring a defender to the club’ if they are to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League this term.
‘You can’t help but look at this Liverpool team and compare it to the team that won the league,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports.
‘It’s not as good as that team, that was unbelievable team but you then look at the facts.
‘This is a team who from the end of last season to right now, have lost one Premier League game in 30. That is unbelievable for any team.
‘Maybe I need to start giving this team more credit and respect, but I still feel Manchester City have got the edge and are still favourites for the title right now.
‘I think on the back of the two injuries to the left-backs and Joel Matip being out for the season, I think the position they find themselves in is it is an opportunity they can’t waste, and I do feel Liverpool have to bring a defender to the club in January.’
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