Man Utd and Liverpool set to battle it out for 17-year-old striker tipped to star at the World Cup in Qatar

Manchester United and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signature of Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko, according to reports.

While still only 17, Moukoko has been heralded as a future star for a few years now.

The striker made headlines as a 13-year-old for playing in Dortmund’s Under-17 side, while his goal-scoring exploits at youth level are unbelievable - in 88 games for Dortmund’s under-17 and under-19 teams, Moukoko scored 141 goals.

This term the forward has starred for Dortmund’s first team in the absence of Sebastian Haller.

The German has scored six times in the Bundesliga this season - form that has put him on the radar of several of Europe's elite clubs.

Man Utd vs Liverpool

According to Sport Bild, both Liverpool and Manchester United are in contention to sign Moukoko, who turns 18 later this month.

However, the publication claims that attempts to lure the youngster to the Premier League may be determined by who is hired as Moukoko’s agent.

If the player signs up with Unique Sports Group or the late-Mino Raiola’s set up, then a move to England is allegedly more likely. Bild also claim that it would cost £26million to sign Moukoko.

Dortmund want to keep the 17-year-old however, and are hoping they could extend his contract, which at present expires next summer.

Tipped for World Cup

Much of the media in Germany are calling for Moukoko to be part of the Germany squad at the World Cup.

At the weekend, as Moukoko scored a brace to become the youngest player in Bundesliga history to net double figures, Bild commentator Corni Küpper said: “Hansi Flick has to take Moukoko to the World Cup.”

Meanwhile this week German publication Kicker is weighing up whether Moukoko or Bundesliga’s top scorer Niclas Füllkrug should be called up.

Moukoko is said to have spoken with Germany boss Hansi Flick last Thursday, a week before Die Mannschaft is announced.

On the conversation Moukoko admitted: “He said that I should just keep going, that they watch everything and in the end those who perform will be there.”

Topics: Youssoufa Moukoko, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Liverpool, Football, Bundesliga, Football World Cup

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.