Liverpool ‘making concrete moves for $21m Chicago Fire forward Jhon Duran’

Liverpool have made a “concrete step” for MLS starlet Jhon Duran but are reportedly facing a lot of competition to secure his signing.

Duran joined the Chicago Fire less than a year ago but quickly made an impression in MLS, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in just 14 starts.

And the 19-year-old Colombian could now be set for another move after leaving Envigado earlier this year.

Jhon Duran could be on his way to Europe as a multitude of clubs are interested in signing him

Citing reports from Italy, the Liverpool Echo say Liverpool are taking “concrete steps” for the striker they have been linked with since October.

According to reports from Colombia, Liverpool previously sent the same scout to watch Duran, who was watching his compatriot Luis Diaz at Porto before joining the Reds.

Duran is capped at international level and has made one more appearance for Colombia since October (in November), bringing his total to three.

However, Liverpool will face the challenge of signing him as Benfica, Aston Villa, Fulham and Brentford are all reportedly interested in the player.

Duran impressed in his debut MLS season last year, scoring eight goals for the Chicago Fire

The Portuguese club, which sold striker Darwin Nunez to Liverpool last summer, appears to be the biggest obstacle for the Merseyside club with an offer of more than $10m in cash plus over $5m in bonuses set to take him to the club take pole position.

However, reports from Italy state that The Fire is targeting $21 million for the player.

The league’s most lucrative transfer was Miguel Almiron’s $25m move to Newcastle in 2019 after the Paraguayan finished second in MVP voting the year before.

No other MLS player has sold for more than $20 million.