Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool beat Manchester United in race for Southend starlet Ngoo
Liverpool have pipped Manchester United to sign 16-year-old striker Michael Ngoo from Southend for a fee that could reach £250,000.
Ngoo has been compared to giant England and Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch.
Southend's head of youth, Ricky Duncan, said: 'When this chance came along for him we couldn't stand in his way.
'Michael had accepted a scholarship with us at the end of last season but he didn't sign.
'He felt that he could get a Premier League side which was his choice and fortunately it has worked out for him.'
There has been a debate about the way big clubs pursue young players, but Duncan praised Liverpool's approach.
'Liverpool got in touch with us and offered him a trial,' he said.
'Then they made us an offer which we thought was a fair price.
'It's very early in his career but we believe he has the potential to go on and carve out a good career for himself at Liverpool.'
