Liverpool have set their sights on capturing Leeds United's rising star Henri Kumwenda, according to Football Insider.

The exciting 18-year-old attacker has been a regular in the Whites' U18 setup and most recently featured during the FA Youth Cup fourth round penalty shootout win against Sheffield Wednesday, as he came on as a second-half substitute. His performances have caught the eyes of the Premier League leaders and the European champions as they look to expand their academy talent further. Football Insider revealed that the Reds are one of several clubs that are monitoring the progression of the Malawian forward.

Kumwenda is a versatile forward that can play in any position across both flanks and down the middle if required. He signed for Leeds at the age at 11 and Marcelo Bielsa has been keen on overseeing the progress of his side's youngster in the Whites' academy, as per Yorkshire Evening Post. The youngster is set to sign a professional contract at Elland Road as his contract at the club is part of a two-year scholarship. Off the pitch, he achieved top marks in his GCSEs and he told the Yorkshire Evening Post of his delight about his education and his time at Elland Road as a collective package.

Liverpool are closely monitoring the situation due to doubts about his future in Yorkshire, and the Reds could make a move if his contract situation is not rectified. However, after Liverpool's 1-0 win against Everton in the FA Cup and the use of academy players during that game, it may not be necessary for the Anfield outfit to take a gamble on the player when they have the likes of Curtis Jones in their ranks.

The Liverpool-born attacker has shone since his emergence from Melwood and into the first team and has scored eight goals in 12 Premier League 2 appearances this season. (as per TransferMarkt) He also has five goals in four UEFA Youth League games, including scoring a hat-trick during his side's 7-0 win against Napoli in the group stages of the tournament. Manager Jurgen Klopp has faith in the 18-year-old after he stated that he is confident that Jones will establish himself into a fully-fledged first-team player, quoted by This is Anfield.

When you consider all of the above, it would be a bold move to go in for a player of Kumwenda's standard when the club already has talented players at the training ground.

Other than perhaps the needs for extra attackers and to provide strength in depth, it is hard to see how the Malawian could possibly be better than Jones at this moment in time.

Liverpool fans, should the club sign Kumwenda? Comment below!