Report: Liverpool head the queue for Colombian defender Kevin Mantilla

[TLW]

Liverpool could be looking to add to their defensive stocks in the summer as they have been linked to young Colombia defender Kevin Mantilla.

 

The 19 year-old has been taking part in the U-20 South American championships and has had a lot of Premier League scouts watching his impressive performances.

 

And according to Football insider, the Reds are in the front of the queue to sign the youngster having made the first preliminary step to do so.

 

The make-up of the Reds defence moving into the future with recent speculation that Joel Matip could be on the market, while Nat Phillips deserves the opportunity to build a career away from Anfield as first team opportunities seem  thin on the ground for him moving forward.

 

It also remains to be seen what the club do with the likes of Rhys Williams and Sepp van den Berg in the summer as their loan spells this season have not gone to plan this season.

 

Mantilla who plays for Independiente Santa Fe in his homeland stands at 6 foot 1 and is described as predominantly playing as a central defender but can also play at right back.

 

 

South America has become a market that Premier League clubs are heavily scouting for value in recent times due to the difficulties in signing rising stars from Europe as a result of the Brexit regulations.

 

We have seen a club like Brighton strike gold with their South American scouting network identifying major value with the likes of Alexis Mac Alister and Moises Caicedo in recent seasons.

 

So if Liverpool can have similar success, that can only benefit the team in the long run.

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[VladimirIlyich]

We will be gazumped by Everton as they already have their large Columbian fan base!