Liverpool and Everton have reportedly taken a liking to Preston teenager Josh Earl and are set to battle each other for the English left-back.
According to The Sun, Liverpool and Everton are reportedly set to ignite a Merseyside battle in the transfer market for teenager Josh Earl. The Preston North End left-back is on the radar of the two Merseyside outfits, who are looking to add the youngster to their respective squads.
Josh Earl is the latest young left-back to emerge in England. The player has had his breakout season in the 2017-18 campaign with Preston North End, with the youngster making 12 appearances for the Championship outfit.
The 19-year-old’s ability to also take the field as a centre-back, apart from his natural position on the left side of the defence, is an added quality that could serve him well in the future.
Preston North End did go about things in the right manner, securing his immediate future at the club by getting the player to commit to a new 3-year deal in September, 2017. However, the same has not deterred Premier League clubs from being interested in the towering left-back, with Liverpool and Everton two who are reportedly chasing the 19-year-old.
At Goodison, things seem to be returning to normal under new manager Sam Allardyce. But, Leighton Baines, for all his passion, energy and laudable work-rate, is 33 and Big Sam would want to bring in a player than can take over from the veteran in due course.
Liverpool have joined Everton in the race to sign Josh Earl, according to The Express. The 19-year-old signed a new three-year contract in September. pic.twitter.com/obHSeSOeIU
— northwest (@northwestpne) December 31, 2017
As such, Earl would be the perfect candidate, with the player likely to not expect to be a starter for the club while also having the prospect of learning from a left-back like Leighton Baines.
Liverpool did reinforce their left side of the defence with Andrew Robertson in the summer and Alberto Moreno has also managed to win back faith from the manager and the fans with his performances. However, the Spaniard is now injured, Milner has been preferred as a central midfielder while Robertson has only just began stringing regular starts under his belt.
In such a scenario, Liverpool could do with a young left-back who could be deputised as a backup to Andrew Robertson and Alberto Moreno.
The prospect of first-team football might be easier to gain at Everton, with a chance to also establish himself as a starter soon enough, compared to Liverpool.
Josh Earl could be enticed with such a big opportunity, if the clubs do end up lodging bids for the 19-year-old. But, ideally, the left-back would like to have atleast a full season at Preston under his belt before making the jump to Premier League.
His is a career that has only begun to sprout and he likely has a lot to learn. Preston fans would hope it is at their club and not somewhere else.
