Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp targets Championship defender as Alberto Moreno replacement

Liverpool will make a move for Fulham's 16-year-old defender Ryan Sessegnon in the summer to give competition to James Milner at left-back.

The Liverpool Echo says Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will offload Spaniard Alberto Moreno in the summer, with Sessegnon his preferred replacement.

Liverpool scouts are reported to have watched the 16-year-old, who has scored five goals in 24 Championship appearances for Fulham this season, in action several times over the past few months.

However, the Reds face significant competition for the England Under-19 international's signature, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all reported to be interested in him.

Sessegnon, who becomes old enough to sign a professional contract in May, pre-agreed a deal with Fulham before the start of the season that he is due to sign on 1 July.

If he signs the deal, other clubs will have to pay a transfer fee to Fulham as opposed to just paying compensation for his development as a youth player.

Last month, Cottagers manager Slavisa Jokanovic urged Sessegnon to turn down a big-money transfer to a Premier League club and continue his development at Craven Cottage.

"I can only tell him that he will improve if he works and stays with us," he was quoted as saying by the Echo. "This is how I will try to convince him to stay with the club.

"I am enjoying the opportunity to work with and use him in my squad. I hope for a long time but in this business you never know what is going to happen."

If Liverpool fail in their pursuit of Sessegnon they will make an £8m ($10m) move for Hull City left-back Andy Robertson, according to the Echo.

Klopp revealed last week that he had held "very positive" talks with potential summer transfer targets and insisted that he would be able to attract top-tier talent to Anfield.