The president of Argentine club CA Talleres has confirmed Liverpool have been tracking Colombia Under-20 international Kevin Mantilla in recent months.
Reports towards the end of December suggested both the Reds and fellow Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion were following the former Santa Fe centre-back, who only moved to Argentina in July 2023.
Club president Andres Fassi has now revealed the two English top-flight teams have asked for details on Mantilla, though a move this winter looks unlikely.
He said: “It’s true, they have been following him for four months now. And they asked us for information about his physical records.”
When asked if his club had any plans to let Mantilla leave during the January transfer window, Fassi simply added: “No.”
Mantilla has made more than 20 appearances for Colombia’s Under-20 side and was part of the side that reached the quarter-finals of the age group’s World Cup last summer before their elimination at the hands of eventual runners-up Italy.
Liverpool have been stretched by injuries to key defenders so far in the 2023/24 season, with Andy Robertson missing a large chunk of the campaign. The Scottish left-back is hoped to return to action in late January following shoulder surgery, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem.
The Reds have high hopes for 20-year-old Jarell Quansah, who has impressed this season after spending last term on loan with Bristol Rovers, while France international Ibrahima Konate put in a brilliant display in their FA Cup win at Arsenal last week.
While no players have been signed at Anfield during the winter transfer window so far, Marcelo Pitaluga, Fabio Carvalho, Vitezslav Jaros and Luke Chambers have all been shipped out on loan.
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