Liverpool and Everton fighting for the chance to sign Charlton starlet and U20 World Cup winner Ezri Konsa
LIVERPOOL and Everton are battling it out for Charlton youngster Ezri Konsa.
The 19-year-old centre-back has sparked interest from the Merseyside rivals after his stunning form in League One last season.
Kop scouts believe he can step up to the Premier League like Joe Gomez did when he moved from The Valley two years ago.
But they are in a tug-of-war with neighbours Everton, who are looking to snap up the best youngsters in the country and have already bought Ademola Lookman from Charlton.
Konsa, who has played for England youth sides, broke into the Charlton first-team last season and was a regular with the Addicks.
He could get loaned back to Charlton for the rest of the season if a deal is struck in January when the transfer window opens.
When Karl Robinson was asked at the start of September if the U20s World Cup winner was happy as a fringe player, he said: “It is what it is.
"I have asked Ez if he's okay and he said he wants to be here."
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"That's what you see with these young players they have an affinity with the club.
"Clubs like Charlton are based on players wanting to be at the club and their desire to be here. Understanding the DNA of the club. Ezri is one of them.
“At no stage has Ezri ever been disappointed he's still at the club.
“He's just as excited as when he made his first-team debut and that shows you the strength of his character and the strength of him as a person.
“I know we have a top player who can play in a number of positions.
“He's arguably one our best players who's not playing. But that's not my fault. That's because a lot of players are playing very well.”
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