Liverpool agree terms with Celtic academy centre-back Dara Jikiemi | OneFootball

Liverpool have agreed terms with Celtic academy centre-back Dara Jikiemi, according to the Secret Scout.

Liverpool have always sought to bring young players to the Anfield club and the Reds have lured the Celtic teenage sensation away from the Parkhead club.

The Secret Scout – a reputable source for youth football and transfer news – has claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the 15-year-old was excluded from international games this week due to his impending move to join the Reds.

Jikiemi has impressed for Celtic at youth level and was widely tipped to break into the first-team of the Scottish Premiership club in the near future.

However, he will now be linking up with Liverpool and be dreaming of establishing himself as a Premier League star in a couple of years from now.

The Reds signed 17-year-old attacker Rio Ngumoha from the Chelsea academy last year, and he has since made his debut for their first-team under manager Arne Slot.

Brexit and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) have made home-grown players valuable, and while Jikiemi does not currently qualify as one, he would if he stays at Liverpool until he is 21.

Nottingham Forest have also been linked with the highly-rated Celtic youngster, but it is the Reds that have won the race and the move is expected to be wrapped up in the coming days.

Jikiemi can also play in midfield due to his ball-playing skills, and the Hoops are losing a player with huge potential.

However, Celtic would be getting training compensation for the years that he came through their system.

The Liverpool-bound teenage sensation would have to sign scholarship terms before he is eligible to sign his first professional contract.

The East End club have been losing gems from within their academy ranks to the bigwigs in the Premier League, and more exits could be on the cards in the coming months.