Liverpool are interested in signing Danish talent Patrick Dorgu - but the defender's agent has told him to reject the transfer.
Several clubs want to sign Dorgu, 18, after a string of impressive displays for Lecce's youth side. The left-back played 38 times last season to help Lecce win the Primavera 1, Italian football's biggest youth competition, for the first time in 19 years.
That has attracted Liverpool's interest, with Manchester City and Barcelona also keen. Yet Dorgu's representative Kingsley Ogbodo believes his client should stay at Lecce and breakthrough into their first team before considering a move to the Premier League.
The agent is concerned Dorgu will be stuck in Liverpool's reserves if he moves to Merseyside now and thinks he is not "ready" for the switch. Dorgu joined Lecce on loan from Danish side Nordsjaelland a year ago, with the transfer becoming permanent in July.
Ogbodo recently spoke to Danish outlet Bold to discuss the defender's future. He said: "Liverpool want him. Liverpool have been watching him and interested in him for some time, but if he goes there he’ll have to play in the U23 team."
Ogbodo added: "It’s not the best for him, so I advise him not to do it. They can offer him a lot of money, but that’s not what we’re looking for right now. We focus on his career, development and playing time."
Who do you think Liverpool should sign this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
Dorgu is yet to make his senior debut at club or international level. He has played five times for Denmark's U19s, scoring twice. Dorgu is a left-back by trade but can also play on the wing, and he showed his attacking ability last season by scoring four goals.
The youngster's move to Lecce will automatically become permanent in July, with the Italians paying €200k (£171k) for his services. His contract will run until June 2027.
Ogbodo claims "there are many clubs here in England who are keeping an eye on him" and has described Dorgu as a "huge talent". Man City sent a scout to go watch the emerging star play for Denmark's U19 in their 4-2 home loss to Denmark in September.
Lecce's scout has also informed Ogbodo that Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Dorgu. Despite this, the agent wants his client to stay in Italy for at least another two seasons. Lecce finished 16th in Serie A last term, narrowly avoiding relegation.
Ogbodo added: "We’d like him to stay in Lecce a little longer. Two more seasons so he can mature and gain experience. So when he moves on to a bigger club in a few seasons, we will know at that time that he is ready for it."
Liverpool are also thought to be interested in Fenerbahce attacking midfielder Arda Guler. The Turkey international, also 18, has just completed a breakthrough season in his homeland - winning the Turkish Cup and earning his first four senior caps.
