Liverpool have reportedly taken on Hibernian FC’s talented teenager Ethan Laidlaw, a target for Chelsea and Manchester United, on a trial.
According to a report from the Daily Record, Liverpool have secured the services of Hibernian FC striker Ethan Laidlaw on a week-long trial, with the 16-year-old also being chased by arch-rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
Laidlaw is a product of the Hibs youth academy and is part of the Leith club’s Under-18 setup. The striker is yet to make his first-team debut but has been part of the matchday squad for three games during the 2020/21 campaign and is held in the highest of regards at the club.
Laidlaw has been attracting a lot of interest from down south in England, which prompted the Hibs to sign him up on his first professional contract earlier this year in February. However, the club is aware of the mounting interest in the teenage prodigy. Indeed, the 16-year-old has previously had a trial at Premier League club Leeds United and could be set for another stint on a trial basis, this time with Liverpool.
? Huge congratulations to 16-year-old striker Ethan Laidlaw who is in today's matchday squad.
? The Hibernian Academy graduate has gone from being a ballboy at games to signing his first professional contract earlier this year.
Read more: https://t.co/QGRxIclGOq pic.twitter.com/quOV5nHcwp
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) April 11, 2021
Liverpool, in recent transfer windows, have brought in some promising young talents, none more so than Harvey Elliott, who thrived away on loan at Blackburn Rovers during the 2020/21 season. And the Reds are set to seemingly continue bolstering their youth ranks, with Laidlaw now emerging as a target.
As per the report, the 2019/20 Premier League champions have already taken in the 16-year-old for trial with Laidlaw travelling down to Merseyside, as he will train at the Reds’ new Kirkby training facility, after having received permission from Hibernian FC.
What this means with regard to his long-term future remains to be seen. The teenage sensation has attracted strong interest from Manchester United while arch-rivals Chelsea have also shown a keenness in the 16-year-old. Both clubs are known for signing up raw, young talents with potential for their academies, with the Red Devils, in particular, being aggressive in their youth recruitment in recent transfer windows.
But with Laidlaw now joining Liverpool on a trial, it remains to be seen if either of Manchester United or Chelsea take the next step in the 16-year-old’s pursuit to try and beat the Reds to his signing.
