Liverpool elbow Arsenal, Chelsea aside for Norway attacking sensation already branded the ‘real deal’
Antonio Nusa of Club Brugges is attracting lots of Premier League interest
Liverpool are reportedly emerging as the favourites to sign in-demand winger Antonio Nusa with the Reds seemingly set to accelerate their plan to lure the Club Brugge star to Anfield in January.
The 18-year-old Norwegian is one of the hottest prospects in European football, having already attracted the attention of a string of top clubs. Indeed, Chelsea reportedly saw a big push to sign the teenager fail over the summer window.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side, well aware that a number of clubs were circling, tried to sign Musa for a fairly sizeable fee, tried to sweeten the deal by loaning him back to Brugges for the remainder of the season. However, the Belgian side rejected that offer, reportedly worth a staggering €30m (£25.8m), in the belief they can achieve any even higher fee in the intervening years for their star talent.
Chelsea remain undaunted, however, are reportedly planning a fresh attempt to lure Musa away from Brugges in 2024. To that end, 90min reports that a major new January approach could be submitted for the teenager.
They are not alone, however, with Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon and Monaco also keeping a close eye on his progress in recent weeks.
And in recent times, Arsenal have also taken a strong shine to the player with Edu happy to invest in the globe’s best young talents when the opportunity arises.
However, it is Liverpool who have seemingly put themselves in the driving seat for a deal. Scouts for Jurgen Klopp’s side have earmarked the star as a major player in the years to come and have reportedly convinced the Reds to match any offer that comes his way.
READ MORE: Liverpool join race for star who Chelsea failed to shine as three UCL sides watch on
Musa offers thoughts on Chelsea links
Although not commenting on claims a move to Anfield could be on the cards, Musa has now reflected on links to Chelsea over the summer.
“I didn’t know about it. We had a match that day against Osasuna, so I didn’t find out about it until after the match. I saw there was a lot of stuff on my mobile phone. My cell phone exploded after the match. Then I wondered what happened. Then I realised,” he told TV2.
“I already knew that it wasn’t going to happen [this summer]. But then the money came on the table. Then it was seen in a slightly different way. We had to have another conversation when the money arrived, but we were on the same page, so there was no problem there. I knew what to do anyway, so it was fine.
“Now I’m in a situation where I want the next step, when it happens, to be something I’ve really thought through. I want to find what is right for me. It is important to me. I think about what is best for me. Right now it’s perfect, sort of, so you just don’t stress too much, things will come along.”
Whether Musa does finalise a move to Liverpool remains to be seen.
However, Norwegian TV pundit and former Premier League star Jan Aage Fjortoft believes the player is destined for big things in the game.
Writing on his X account earlier this week, Fjortoft stated: ‘Antonio Nusa!!!! Norway! He is 18. To all top clubs out there!!! Just buy him!! Don’t bother to scout him…he is the real deal’.
Fjortoft was speaking after Musa made his full international debut for Norway as they routed Jordan 6-0 in a friendly, with the teenager among the scorers.
