Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Liverpool, Manchester City, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Liverpool and Manchester City are set to battle it out for a wonderkid who has been dubbed as the 'next Lionel Messi'.
Liverpool and Man City strengthened in the attacking areas during the summer transfer window.
The Reds signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus in a transfer worth £12.5 million.
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As for the Blues, they acquired Savinho from Troyes for £30.8 million.
But they are looking at further additions, with the pair of Premier League giants monitoring the same youngster.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool and Man City are both keeping tabs on Andrija Maksimovic, who has been dubbed as the 'Serbian Messi' among other glowing nicknames.
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The report claims several clubs are eyeing the 17-year-old attacking midfielder ahead of making an official approach.
Borussia Dortmund, who are no strangers to recruiting the best young talent in the world, are interested in signing Maksimovic next summer.
Juve are also monitoring the Red Star Belgrade starlet.
Maksimovic is contracted at Red Star until 2027 and is expected to command a transfer fee of at least £12.5 million.
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The teenage sensation earned the nickname 'Messi' as a child because of his resemblance to the eight-time Ballon d'Or with his distinctive long hair.
This season, he has made six appearances and has registered one assist.
There is plenty of buzz around Maksimovic, who featured for Serbia during the international break.
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He could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who is out of contract at Man City in the summer of 2025.
The Belgium midfielder, who has been at the Etihad since 2015, has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Maksimovic's versatility would be appreciated by Arne Slot, who could employ the player in midfield or on the right wing.
Slot had a quiet window during the summer but the transfer of Maksimovic would be a statement signing for Liverpool.