Liverpool are closing in on a move for Celtic teenager Dara Jikieme, a player many inside youth football rate highly. He is only 15, but he has already started to turn heads at the academy level. The club see this as another chance to act early, following a strategy that has worked well in the past.
LIVERPOOL MOVE EARLY WHILE OTHERS WATCH
Over the years, Liverpool have built a strong habit of moving early in the youth market. That approach has become part of their identity. Dara Jikieme fits the profile they usually target. He plays with confidence and looks comfortable against older players. Coaches believe he performs well beyond his age. Liverpool have tracked Jikieme closely this season after strong displays for Celtic at youth level.
Reports via The Mail suggest the club are pushing talks in a positive direction. Nottingham Forest are also monitoring the situation, which explains why timing matters so much. To avoid competition, Liverpool want clarity sooner rather than later.
Jikieme turns 16 in January. If the deal goes through, he would join the academy next year. The plan focuses on development and patience, not immediate pressure.
WHY FSG BELIEVE HISTORY CAN REPEAT ITSELF
Many supporters will remember the Ben Doak deal. Liverpool signed him from Celtic at a similar age. Celtic received only training compensation because Doak had not signed a professional contract.
The club did not rush his progress. Instead, development came first. A loan move to Middlesbrough helped raise his profile and confidence. That spell proved crucial.
Soon after, Liverpool sold Doak to Bournemouth for £20m, with a further £5m in add-ons. What started as a small investment turned into a strong return. That pathway remains fresh in FSG’s thinking.
Jikieme may never reach that level. Still, the structure gives him the best chance to grow, either into a first-team option or a valuable asset.
JIKIEME’S QUICK RISE AT CELTIC
For such a young player, Jikieme already shows maturity. Coaches and scouts see him as one of Scotland’s brightest prospects. He has captained the Under-15 national side and taken responsibility without hesitation.
Recent reports suggest he missed youth international duty to prepare for a possible move. Celtic would receive training compensation if he leaves, having developed him through their academy.
Ideally, Celtic want to keep players longer and increase their value at senior level. However, clubs south of the border continue to move earlier each year, making that task harder.
HOW FANS SEE THE MOVE
Liverpool supporters have reacted calmly to the reports. Many trust the academy system and the club’s recruitment plan. Similar moves have paid off before.
There is also the pull of the club itself. For a teenager, the chance to progress through Liverpool’s academy still carries weight. The pathway remains clear, and that opportunity often matters as much as money.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This feels like a typical Liverpool decision. Quiet, early, and well thought out. Jikieme might never reach the first team, but the club are backing their process. In modern football, that patience often makes the difference.
As featured on Walkon.com
