Liverpool have made contact to sign Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah in 2023, according to reports this week.

The Lowdown: Musah stars for USA

The American has recently been in Qatar having been named in Gregg Berhalter’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped speculation surrounding his club future at the Mestalla Stadium.

Premier League club Arsenal have been monitoring him for the past three years, and with his current contract, which expires in 2026, having a €100m (£86m) release clause included, two more clubs have joined the race for his signature.

The Latest: Liverpool make enquiry

According to 90min, Liverpool and Chelsea have both ‘made contact’ with Musah’s representatives to ‘register their interest’ in a potential move next year.

Reds scouts have ‘identified’ the 20-year-old as a ‘transfer target’, though Valencia are ‘relaxed’ about his future and are likely to demand a ‘significant fee’ to even consider letting him leave.

The Spanish giants have therefore ‘opened contract talks’ in a bid to ‘fend off’ interest and keep him in La Liga, where he is seen as a ‘key part’ of Gennaro Gattuso’s plans.

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The Verdict: Keita replacement?

Liverpool are reportedly willing to allow Naby Keita to depart for free next summer, and Musah could be the perfect replacement should he leave Anfield.

The New York native, dubbed an ‘elite engine’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, already has three goal contributions to his name this season and has the ability to operate in four different central positions (WhoScored).

FSG splashing big-money on a player so young could be a risk, but given Valencia’s financial orders, putting the cash on the table might be the only way to land him ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.