Man Utd and Liverpool suffer major transfer blow with target set to follow 'Haaland plan'

Manchester United and Liverpool target Youssoufa Moukoko is talks to remain at Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.

The 18-year-old has been regarded as one of the top prospects in world football over at least the last couple of years, but it is this season where the striker has taken his performances to a new level.

Moukoko has been Dortmund's leading frontman this term, netting six goals and providing three assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances.

He is the club's top scorer in the league, while he has also featured in all six of their Champions League games this term.

His form led to a Germany call-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he could add to the sole senior international cap he received earlier this year.

Whilst he looks to perform strongly in Qatar, meanwhile, Dortmund are attempting to fend off interest in his services from other clubs, including United and Liverpool, with his contract expiring next summer.

Moukoko 'in talks' over Dortmund stay

Jurgen Klopp's Reds have been linked with the signing of the 18-year-old in recent months. And Football Insider reported last month that Moukoko had signed with an England-based agency.

United have also been linked with the player, as well as German giants Bayern Munich. Speaking at a press conference in Qatar, the striker refused to give anything away about his future plans.

He said: "I feel very comfortable in Dortmund, I feel the confidence of the coach. You'll find out in the end whether I decide to stay or not."

However, prominent transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Moukoko is in talks to stay at Signal Iduna Park, rather than move to the Premier League, or Bayern - and says he could follow the plan used by the club for the sales of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho to Manchester City and United respectively.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: "From what I'm told, at the moment there are still no advanced negotiations between Bayern and Youssoufa Moukoko.

"It's still an open situation. Moukoko is speaking to Borussia Dortmund, because Borussia Dortmund want to extend his contract, also with the potential plan to sell him at the right moment, as they did with Haaland, as they did with Sancho, as they will with Jude Bellingham. So with a very clear plan to sell him at the right moment.

"It's up to Moukoko, but at the moment, nothing advanced with Bayern, and many clubs interested."

Romano added that clubs from England, Spain and Italy are also interested in the player, with Dortmund manager Edin Terzic a key factor in the contract talks.