Liverpool: Journalist makes Gharbi claim

Liverpool have missed out on signing Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid Ismael Gharbi, as first reported by French journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

The lowdown: Rising star

A product of the youth system at the Parc des Princes, the 18-year-old has graduated through the ranks of the Ligue 1 giants and now made four senior appearances.

Born in Paris, the talented forward has been part of youth squads for both Spain and France before representing the latter at under-18 level.

Having previously been set to become a free agent this summer, Liverpool and Chelsea were linked with the teenager, but the Premier League duo have now missed out…

The latest: New deal at PSG

Taking to Twitter, Hawkins claimed that the Reds made a ‘very good offer’ to Gharbi before the teenager extended his stay at PSG.

The reporter outlined on Friday: “Ismaël Gharbi, 18, will sign his first professional contract at PSG today! The biggest European clubs had positioned themselves. Liverpool made him a very good offer, for example, but Paris has always been the midfielder’s priority.”

Since then, PSG’s official Twitter channel has confirmed the new deal which will keep Gharbi at the European superpower until 2025.

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The verdict: No surprise

Valued at £1.35m following a Ligue 1 debut in 2021/22, and potentially viewed as one that got away in years to come, it comes as no surprise to see that Liverpool were willing to act upon their interest in the talented youngster.

The model at Anfield has changed under FSG in recent years as the club attempts to furnish each of the development squads with the most talented players across Europe, an approach underlined by signings such as Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon and now Calvin Ramsay.

Described as a ‘leader’ by former PSG under-15 coach Said Aigoun, Gharbi – who operates either as a winger or in a central attacking position – would’ve been another exciting addition to the ranks, as Jurgen Klopp keeps at least one eye on the next generation of stars for the Reds.

In other news, a transfer expert has dropped a key Liverpool claim. Read more here