Manchester United have reportedly joined Liverpool in the race to sign in-demand Chicago Fire attacker Jhon Duran.
The 18-year-old joined the MLS outfit from Envigado in January and has made an immediate impression with eight goals and five assists in 27 league appearances.
Duran's efforts were not enough to see the Fire make the 2022 post-season, but he is nevertheless thought to be attracting glances from top European clubs.
The teenager - who earned his first two caps for the senior Colombia team in September's friendly win with Guatemala and Mexico - is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season.
Chicago Fire do possess the option to trigger a two-year extension in Duran's contract, but Liverpool are said to be in the hunt for the youngster's signature.
Now, The Sun claims that Man United are also monitoring Duran's development, and Erik ten Hag's side have been in contact with Chicago Fire to discuss a possible deal.
The report adds that members of the striker's family and entourage have also been in touch with interested clubs in Europe, having recently travelled to England.
The MLS side would reportedly be after a fee of £10m to sanction Duran's sale, and they could be prepared to cash in now after an underwhelming campaign.
Chicago Fire have already witnessed one highly-rated starlet in Gabriel Slonina make the move to Chelsea, and they would supposedly expect a similar fee to let Duran leave in the near future.
Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for Duran, who is believed to have caught the eye of Todd Boehly, and the Blues could therefore rival their Premier League counterparts for his signature.
Despite acquiring the services of Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho in the summer, Liverpool's attacking ranks have been hit by serious injuries to Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz this term.
Roberto Firmino is also out of contract in the summer of 2023, and his potential exit as a free agent could lead Jurgen Klopp's side to scope out the attacking market.
Duran is not the only teenage striker believed to be on Liverpool's wishlist, as the Reds have also been tipped to move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.
Meanwhile, Man United are widely expected to wave goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the season in the wake of his refusal to come off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 37-year-old has been a peripheral figure under Ten Hag and was dropped from the squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea after leaving Old Trafford early in midweek. body check tags ::
