Man Utd and Liverpool in transfer fight for wonderkid that impressed Wayne Rooney

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Manchester United and Liverpool are set to go head to head for ‘the best 16-year-old in England’ before the end of the January window. The two Premier League giants face off at Anfield on Sunday, in a pivotal clash in the title race.

They also face off in the FA Cup the following weekend, with the Red Devils’ upturn in form set to be put to the test.

But those games may not be the only time the two rivals battle it out this month, with reports suggesting they are both chasing Kaide Gordon.

The teenager is the latest wonderkid from the fabled Derby County academy that has produced talents like Loui Sibley, Jayden Bogle and Max Bird in recent years.

Gordon has impressed interim Rams boss Wayne Rooney in recent weeks, with the United legend handing him his senior debut in December.

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“I brought Kaide up with the first-team initially to train with us for a week to see how he reacted to it, and he was one of the best trainers,” Rooney said after Gordon’s debut vs Birmingham City

“I kept him with us for a couple of week and he’s been training at the same level if not to a better level to a lot of the other [first-team] players.”

Derby have already rejected a bid in the region of £1million and will look for at least double that in any potential deal.

Despite the Championship club’s resolve to keep Gordon, their worrying financial situation could force their hand.

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Derby’s senior players haven’t been paid since the end of November, as they await an imminent takeover .

Sky Sports claim that while the Rams won’t sell first-team players, they could generate funds by selling some of their academy stars.

The report adds that both United and Liverpool are closely monitoring Gordon’s situation, with the expectation he will leave before the end of the month.

Gordon’s current club believe his fee will increase significantly as he continues his progression and will demand a sizeable sell-on fee.

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Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United have implemented a strategy of signing talented youngsters in order to suppleent their development squads.

Willy Kambwala and Facundo Pellistri both arrived during the summer window, with the pair representing the club at age group level.

18-year-old winger Amad Diallo also completed his long-awaited move to United last week, following protracted issues surrounding a work permit.

Solskjaer’s side agreed a fee with Atalanta back in the summer, but were forced to wait before bringing him across to England.

Despite registering very few senior appearances in his career, it is understood Diallo will join the first-team squad at Carrington – although he will be given time to adapt.

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