Liverpool to repeat familiar transfer trick to sign wonderkid after contract offer rejected
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Liverpool FC NewsTransfer NewsLiverpool FCCeltic is understood to have been informed of Dara Jikiemi's decision and the teenage center-back looks set to move on this summer - with Liverpool reportedly favourites to secure his servicesDara Jikiemi appears set for LiverpoolLiverpool transfer target Dara Jikiemi has snubbed a fresh contract offer at Celtic. The Scottish champions had put forward a new long-term deal, however the 16-year-old rejected the proposal in recent days.Celtic has been notified of Jikiemi's decision, with the center-back appearing poised to depart this summer.
The Scotland youth captain has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, with the story breaking back in November that Liverpool was keen to secure his signature.The Anfield outfit, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have all registered their interest in the gifted teenage defender, reports the Daily Record. Liverpool has been in contention for several months and are considered frontrunners to seal an agreement.Celtic will be eligible for training compensation, though the sum will be reduced should Jikiemi opt for a cross-border switch.
It appears set to be yet another costly blow for the Hoops' academy setup.Liverpool previously recruited Scotland international Ben Gannon-Doak from Celtic back in 2022.The Glasgow club have seen a considerable number of their academy products lured away to the English Premier League in recent campaigns.Conall Glancy has departed for Tottenham Hotspur, while Daniel Cummings switched to West Ham United, Aidan Borland put pen to paper at Aston Villa and Rory Mahady signed for Leeds United.Ben Gannon-Doak made the move from Celtic to Liverpool(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Gannon-Doak left Liverpool to join Bournemouth last summer but struggled with injuries in his debut season under new Reds boss Andoni Iraol.aHe has been named in Scotland's squad for this summer's World Cup and will be eager to make an impact in the tournament, having missed Euro 2024 through injury."The Euros probably came a bit too early, but I don't think I would have played if I was there," he told Sky Sports News."I think if I did go and play, I wouldn't have given the best account of myself that I know that I could have done."I'm much more prepared and ready to go and play in a tournament now than I was back then."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCBen Doak