Liverpool close on Bury teenage defender Emeka Obi
Friday 28 October 2016 14:06, UK
Liverpool are confident of signing Bury's 15-year-old centre-back Emeka Obi, according to Sky sources.
Despite some reports suggesting the move had been wrapped up, it is understood the deal is still to be completed with a number of issues to be resolved.
The Reds have scouted extensively the 6ft 5in teenage defender who has already appeared for the League One club's first team. He also had a trial with Stoke City in the summer.
Obi made his professional debut on August 30, aged 15 years and 86 days, during Bury's 4-1 win over Morecambe in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Bury boss David Flitcroft, named Sky Bet League One manager of the month for September, was full of praise for Obi in the summer after handing him his professional debut.
"I think he's the best talent right now at 15 years old in the entire country," Flitcroft said. "He only came in the building two years ago and nothing fazes him.
"He's been training with the first team and he's going back to school next week. We've had him for five weeks, training with the first team, training with Ryan Kidd and he's been playing with the U18s.
"He's a man mountain, but we teach them how to play football and he's going to be an unbelievable asset to the football club. He's a kid that's really switched on, I've watched him while he's been on summer holidays and he's been in every single day."
A big benefit to Bury if Obi is sold would be the finances involved. They are currently 11th in League One but have experienced large losses and recently received a fourth winding-up petition served on them this year.
