Celtic of Scotland youngster, Dara Jikiemi is yet to officially join Liverpool, as an offer from Nottingham Forest remains in view, and both clubs are still gunning for the Nigerian-born lad’s signature.
Sports247 gathered that, contrary to initial reports about a sealed deal at Liverpool, Jikiemi is still attracting January transfer attention from The Reds’ English Premier League rivals.
This means the youngster could still end up joining Nigerian striker, Taiwo Awoniyi at Forest or go the other way to the club that initially signed the out of favour Nottingham striker.
The connection between both clubs is seen in how Liverpool signed Awoniyi a few months after he dazzled at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, but The Reds never gave him an official match.
Five years after Liverpool kept sending him on loan repeatedly to clubs in Belgium and Germany, Awoniyi eventually broke loose of Liverpool’s hold and moved to Nottingham.
Although his goals saved them from relegation two seasons ago, Awoniyi has since dropped down the pecking order at The City Stadium, mostly due to his frequent battles with injury.
It’s now left to be seen if he will be around to welcome Jikiemi in January, or if the Celtic youngster will move to Merseyside in search of bigger pickings at Anfield instead.
A report by Tribal Football added: “Just 15, centre-back Jikieme is attracting major Premier League interest. Nottingham Forest and Liverpool are firming up plans for the teen.
“Jikieme turns 16 in January and Liverpool would seek to sign and immediately add the defender to their academy teams for the remainder of the season.”
