That’s according to French journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, who claims the Reds are on the brink of snapping up Billy Koumetio from US Orleans.
On Wednesday afternoon, the RMC Sport reporter tweeted: “Liverpool commits [to] French football hope. LFC has completed the arrival of 16-year-old defender Billy Koumetio.
“Passed by OL and @ US_Orleans he arrived this week in England.”
Moments later, he added: “Liverpool will sign a young French defender Billy Koumetio – 16 years old. He played in Lyon and now in Orleans. He arrived in England this week.”
Koumetio joined Lyon’s academy in the summer of 2014 but failed to make an impact at the club before being sold to US Orleans.
It’s unknown if the youngster will feature in Liverpool’s Under 18s side for their Premier League Cup match against Manchester United on Saturday.
Liverpool’s first team currently top the Premier League table by four points and are on course to win their first league title in nearly 30 years.
The Reds retained their four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City on Saturday thanks to a 4-3 win over Crystal Palace.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops were made to work hard for their victory and were pushed by a dogged Palace right until the final whistle.
The German was delighted with his side’s display, saying: “I would say that’s what we had first, before we started playing brilliant football.
“These boys are ready to do that, they are real fighters. It’s a bunch of proper warriors – I love that.
“They all stick their leg in or whatever.
“If you would have seen Millie sitting in the dressing room, completely frustrated obviously because of the [red] card but both knees bleeding – where can you get that from on that fantastic pitch?
“It was a really hard-fought victory. It’s so cool.
“It’s just nice then to see the faces of all the people [in the crowd]. You are close enough, you go there and see the happy faces. That’s cool.”
Liverpool return to action next Wednesday evening, welcoming Leicester City to Anfield.