Liverpool youngster Lewis Koumas has agreed a new deal at the Anfield club after an impressive season where he broke into Jurgen Klopp's first-team plans – and the 18-year-old is now close to sealing a loan with a Championship club.
Koumas, joined the Reds from Tranmere as an Under 11 player – much to the frustration of the local League Two club – and forged his way into the fringes of the first-team reckoning last year, going on the pre-season tour and making his debut.
The Chester-born forward, who can play out wide or as a striker, appeared in several matchday squads and finally got his first start in February.
Koumas is eligible to play internationally for three nations.
He could play for England through birth, Wales due to his father Jason – the former Cardiff City, West Brom and Wigan midfielder (left, tackling Ryan Giggs in 2007)
He could play for England through birth, Wales due to his father Jason – the former Cardiff City, West Brom and Wigan midfielder – or Cyprus through his paternal grandfather.
The teenager made his Wales debut in a friendly against Gibraltar in June and also featured against Slovakia.
He has now been rewarded for his fine year or so with a new deal and is expected to complete a loan to a mid-table Championship side within the next few days.
Meanwhile, fellow young forward Jayden Danns' potential plans of getting experience out on loan have been scuppered by a back injury that is worse than first feared.
No loan deals were close to completion but Danns will remain on Merseyside for rehab and recovery work.
The Chester-born forward, who can play out wide or as a striker, appeared in several matchday squads
Meanwhile, fellow young forward Jayden Danns' potential plans of getting experience out on loan have been scuppered by a back injury
Another youngster who broke through last term, Bobby Clark, is stepping up his own recovery from an injury
Danns also had a breakthrough year and could have been set for more game-time in the pre-season tour if not for the injury, especially noting the lack of No 9 options in the United States.
Another youngster who broke through last term, Bobby Clark, is stepping up his own recovery from an injury.
He watched on the balcony at the AXA Training Centre as the Under 21s beat Ipswich on Wednesday and has interest from RB Salzburg, Norwich and Leeds for a move.