Liverpool: Nigerian duo Jacob Njoku and Chidera Ejike undergoing trials on Merseyside

Highly-rated Nigerian starlets Jacob Njoku and Chidera Ejike have joined Liverpool on a trial basis, according to the duo's representative. Manchester City had previously kept a close eye on 18-year-old attacking midfielder Ejike's progress at the Gee-Lec academy, but are yet to make a move for the highly-rated youngster.

Liverpool instead have jumped the queue, inviting the player over for a two-week trial, along with 18-year-old Njoku, who was previously on the books of Portuguese giants Porto.

"Njoku and Ejike are in Liverpool already. We arrived in England around 2pm on Saturday (23 April), they are starting training tomorrow," the pair's representative Babawo Mohammed told AllNigeriaSoccer.com.

Major clubs across Europe have looked to young Nigerian options in recent months following the country's success at the Under-17 World Cup in November 2015.

Arsenal have also agreed deals for both Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze, with Arsene Wenger confirming in January the club were hopeful of resolving work permit and medical issues to sign up the pair.

Sixteen-year-old midfielder Chukwueze was given a British entry visa allowing him to complete his move in February, while 17-year-old Nwakali, who won the Golden Ball award at November's tournament in Chile, revealed he had signed a five-year-contract with the Gunners.

Liverpool meanwhile have already begun making preparations for next season with Schalke defender Joel Matip poised to join the club in July when his current deal with the Bundesliga club expires.

Udinese midfielder Piotr Zielinski also confirmed he had already held talks with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over a move to Anfield this summer. The versatile midfielder was tentatively linked with a move to the Premier League in January and confirmed in April he had been in direct contact with the Reds' boss.

FC Cologne and Germany full-back Jonas Hector has also admitted he would find it very difficult to turn down a move to Liverpool if Klopp was to reach out to him.