Liverpool 'leading the race' to sign former Arsenal midfielder after 'Klopp request' revealed

Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign former Arsenal midfielder and current Valencia star Yunus Musah following a 'request' from Jurgen Klopp.

Musah was part of the Arsenal academy before departing in 2019 to move to Spain.

Since joining Valencia, he has broken into the first team, making his senior debut at the age of 17. He scored his first goal for the club before his 18th birthday.

Now 20, Musah was a key part of the USA squad that competed at the World Cup in Qatar. He started all four of their games in a central midfield role, including the 0-0 draw against England.

He can also play out wide and in attacking midfield, and Arsenal have previously been linked with attempts to bring him back to the Emirates Stadium.

He spent seven years in London, but did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners.

Speaking in November, the USA star explained why he left the club: "That was one of the reasons I chose to move to Spain. I felt at the time, maybe, we'll never know, that I wasn't able to be in the Arsenal first team so early.

"Their team was really good and I felt, at my age, I could play first team football, and there was the chance to move to Valencia. Things turned out great. I'm very grateful for that."

Now, he could be on his way back to the Premier League.

Liverpool 'keen on Musah'

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Klopp's Liverpool side have now targeted Musah as a signing for the future, suggesting that the midfielder may be slowly eased into the Reds XI despite their problems in the central area of the pitch.

It is claimed that the German has personally requested the club's transfer department to sign the USA international as he looks to bolster his squad options.

The Athletic claimed last week that Valencia were 'willing to listen to offers' for the midfielder, who could be available for as little as £18 million.

That deal would surely appeal to Liverpool, especially given a recent report from The Times that claimed they had little room to do more January business following the £37 million acquisition of Cody Gakpo from PSV.