Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool Czech out 16-year-old Banik Ostrava defender Jakub Sokolik
Rafa Benitez is targeting 16-year-old defender Jakub Sokolik as he attempts to build Liverpool's squad for the future.
The Reds are closing in on the Banik Ostrava defender and will snap him up once he turns 16 in the next few days, according to the Czech club.
Discussing the transfer, Banik Ostrava general manager Werner Licka said: 'On the club level we are basically agreed with Liverpool, but it is not concluded yet because Jakub is travelling to Liverpool to discuss the terms of the contract.
'It is no coincidence that they have chosen him. He has a great potential to gain ground there.'
Licka added: 'He knows what he wants and he is all right in the head.
'Personally, I am no big fan of transfers of such young players to foreign leagues but, on the other hand, the interest of Liverpool is a huge reward for our work.'
Sokolik is a Czech Republic Under 16 international and his agent Pavel Zika said he expects the move to be finalised soon.
He said: 'It is a regular transfer on the basis of an agreement between two clubs, during the next few days we should finalise the deal.'
