Liverpool have opened talks with promising Colombian youngster Kevin Mantilla over a summer move to the club, according to a new transfer report.

The Lowdown: Mantilla a huge talent

The 19-year-old centre-back is considered a player of huge promise, having already become a key figure for club side Independiente Santa Fe, making 25 appearances in their first-team.

Not only that but Mantilla is also catching the eye at international level, winning 15 caps for Colombia's Under-20 side and scoring once for good measure.

He shone at the recent South American Under-20 Championship, and that appears to have alerted Liverpool.

The Latest: Liverpool begin talks

According to Football Insider, the Reds have 'opened preliminary talks' over the potential signing of Mantilla after being impressed with his international performances.

The club had officials at the Under-20 Championship and were blown away by what they saw, with a summer transfer now potentially in the works.

The Verdict: One for the future

Liverpool could do with fresh blood at centre-back from next season onwards, considering both Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have been linked with summer exits.

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The 6-foot tall Mantilla clearly wouldn't be seen as an immediate key man but he could come in as fourth choice and learn from the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, playing in domestic cup games and maturing as a player along the way.

Building for the future is absolutely essential and Jurgen Klopp and the transfer experts at Anfield could see the Colombian as a long-term regular with a high ceiling.