Liverpool outsiders in Man Utd transfer race for £12m speedster Kamaldeen Sulemana

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According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are considered the outsiders in a summer transfer race with Manchester United and Ajax to sign Nordsjaelland winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield natives sent their Scandinavian scout Mads Jorgensen to run the rule over Sulemana against Copenhagen on Monday, as the teen speedster struck his 10th goal of the season to open the scoring in a 2-2 draw.

Sulemana is considered to be Ghana’s next big thing and has been backed to become the most successful footballer from his country since Michael Essien, who won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League with Chelsea.

Liverpool are arriving on the scene later than some as Sulemana’s growing reputation is attracting a host of interest, leaving the Reds to trail rivals Manchester United and Ajax in the race to sign the 19-year-old.

Ajax have been striving to steal a march on the Red Devils after seeing a £10million offer rejected in the January transfer window (Daily Mail), but United are claimed to be prepared to open talks with African Right to Dream Academy – who own Nordsjaelland – at £12m.

Matt Judge, United’s transfer chief, was joined by Ajax’s Director of Football Marc Overmars and a scout for Bayer Leverkusen in personally scouting Sulemana against Copenhagen, with the Red Devils confident that he represents a safe investment.

TBR’s view:

Liverpool seem to face a large challenge to move ahead of Manchester United and Ajax in the race to sign Sulemana, but could acquire a promising young talent in the teenager who outpaced the Copenhagen defence before scoring with his left foot on Monday.

The exuberant prospect is also a versatile weapon through his ability to play on either wing and has been lauded by rival players including FC Midtjylland captain Erik Sviatchenko, who Goal quote as saying:

“When he plays simple and knows when to play the ball, he is amazing. He is fast, strong and has an understanding of the game like few others. He’s on his way to something big, and it’s a pleasure to be tested against one of the great talents in Europe.”

Sulemana’s rise included his Ghana debut in October and it likely will not be long before he takes the next step in his development by joining a bigger club, as European heavyweights strive to land a top up-and-coming creator before it is too late.