Football
Peter O'Rourke, Transfer correspondent 7y

Liverpool scout Rosenborg midfielder Olaus Jair Skarsem - sources

Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs tracking Rosenborg midfielder Olaus Jair Skarsem, sources in Norway have told ESPN FC.

Skarsem is currently playing in the Rosenborg 2 squad, but he is regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from Norway in recent years.

The news of Liverpool's interest was first reported in Norway, and Skarsem told Adresseavisen: "It was rather strange and obviously not something I had expected but it's motivational as well and shows that I'm doing something right, whether there is anything to it or not.

"I don't really have much to say about the [reports], I know as much as anyone else who has read the articles. It's nice to be linked with big clubs, but there is very little concrete so it's not something I can consider."

"Of course it's a big club with a great history. Naturally it would be interesting, but it's not something I can think about now. I haven't heard anything, I've just read the articles myself. I can't think about it, I have to focus on Rosenborg."

He made his first-team debut for Rosenborg last year and clubs from across Europe, including Liverpool, Everton, West Ham United, Leicester and Brighton, have been watching his progress since and are expected to attend Rosenborg's under-19 cup semifinal against Viking on Wednesday.

Spanish side Sevilla are also long-term admirers of Skarsem, but sources have told ESPN FC that if he does move the teenager's first-choice is to go to England.

Rosenborg are reluctant to lose Skarsem, but are bracing themselves for offers as interest from the Premier League continues to mount in the Norway under-18 international.

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