Liverpool and Manchester United are battling to sign 16-year-old Nottingham Forest defender Matthew Bondswell, sources close to the Championship club have told ESPN FC.
Left-back Bondswell has been a regular in Forest's under-18s side this season and has also excelled at England youth level.
Forest are determined to keep Bondswell but have so far been unable to agree a scholarship deal, with the player rejecting several offers.
That has alerted a number of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and United having both expressed an interest.
Liverpool hope they may have an edge over United because the defender grew up as a fan of the Anfield club.