Liverpool join race for Charlton Athletic's highly-rated teenager Ademola Lookman

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race for Charlton Athletic's highly-rated forward Ademola Lookman. The 18-year-old star is set to leave the London club this summer after their relegation to League One.

Lookman emerged on the scene this season, scoring five times in 16 starts. And last month, the sought-after youngster − who is also rumoured to have attracted interest from Chelsea and Tottenham − was named the Football League Apprentice of the Year.

Liverpool will also face competition from Arsenal and Everton, both of whom were said to be interested in the player in January. However, Lookman instead opted to sign a new deal at The Valley, committing himself to the south London club until 2020.

Despite this, Charlton now recognise the need to cash in on their prized asset having been relegated, with Liverpool keen to sign the £6 million-rated ($8.6m) player, according to The Mirror.

Liverpool's rumoured interest in Lookman comes shortly after Mario Balotelli admitted he does not want to return to Anfield, saying he hopes to remain at AC Milan. "I do not want to return to Liverpool. I was never happy at Liverpool," he said previously. "I've been doing well in my last two games and there are another six for me to prove myself. Besides, Milan have the money."