Liverpool have been sent a warning that they may not be able to replicate their coup of signing Harvey Elliott by moving for Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho.
The 19-year-old has been at the heart of Marco Silva ’s free-scoring Fulham side, scoring seven times and providing two assists in 16 Championship games.
The ECHO understands that Liverpool are among a number of teams monitoring the teenager, who has six months remaining on his contract, though no official contact has yet been made with Fulham.
However, Fulham boss Silva is hoping that the club can reach an arrangement with Carvalho, having seen several of their academy stars leave for nominal sums in recent years.
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“We have to do something different,” the Portuguese coach said.
“Unfortunately for us as a club, this has happened more than once. We have to prevent this type of situation.
“I know that now football is different, some young players think in a different way as well.
“It's not normal for it to happen so many times in the last few years for Fulham. The reality is we are talking about more players, not just Fabio.”
Harvey Elliott was one such talent that left Craven Cottage to join Liverpool in 2019 for a fee that could eventually rise to £4.3m, depending on bonuses..
More recently Cody Drameh joined Leeds for £600,000 in 2020, while youth prospects Jayden Barber and Mika Biereth were snapped up in the summer by Aston Villa and Arsenal respectively.
Fulham are still in discussions over a new contract to avoid him leaving the club for free at the end of the season, with Carvalho’s family handling the negotiations.
Carvalho scored during his first Premier League start in May 2021 and would be set for a starring role in the top-flight next year, with Fulham looking set for promotion.
However, Liverpool could offer an intriguing opportunity to the number 10, after Jurgen Klopp has shown his willingness to give youthful players a fair chance at Anfield.
Carvalho’s ex-teammate Elliott was starting his third consecutive Premier League game for the Reds, prior to his injury against Leeds in September.
While Kaide Gordon - who joined the club for a fee rising to £3m from Derby County in February 2021 - made his Liverpool debut as a 16-year-old this season, before being entrusted to start in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
