Liverpool U-21 star Billy Koumetio set for loan move to Dunkerque | OneFootball

Liverpool’s U-21 star Billy Koumetio is expected to join Ligue 2 outfit Dunkerque on loan, claims L’Equipe.

The 20-year-old joined the Reds from French club US Orleans in 2020 and has since been a prominent fixture for the English club’s youth ranks.

The French youngster moved to Austria Wien last summer on loan, but his stay was cut short and he returned to his parent club in January.

He had also held the record for the youngest-ever player to represent the Reds in the Champions League during a game against Midtjylland in 2020 until it was surpassed by Stefan Bajcetic last year.

The talented French centre-back has amassed 49 appearances at under-21 level and was also part of Liverpool’s U-19 side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2021/22 UEFA Youth League.

Koumetio will leave the Merseysiders again in search of regular game time, and his move to Dunkerque will be a dry loan until next summer.

The French prospect will be a vital addition to the Dunkirk-based outfit, who have recorded a win, a draw and two defeats in four games in the French second division.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s first-team centre-back Joel Matip has been heavily linked with an exit in the final days of the transfer window, with Rennes showing concrete interest in him.

The Ligue 1 outfit have identified the German-born defender as a potential replacement for Arthur Theate, who is on the wishlist of Liverpool and Fulham.

Mohamed Salah’s future at Anfield has also been the subject of intense speculation, with Saudi giants Al-Ittihad reportedly proposing a lucrative bid to the Egyptian international.