Former Premier League champions Liverpool have told Fulham they require £15m for the services of Welsh international Harry Wilson this summer, according to The Athletic.

24-year-old Wilson came through the Merseyside club's youth system but despite playing particularly well for Championship sides Derby County and Cardiff City in previous loan spells, the presence of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri is likely to keep the winger out in the cold at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

With this, Jurgen Klopp is open to selling the Welsh international this summer. However, his contract at the Premier League giant does not expire until 2023 after Wilson signed a new long-term contract with the Reds back in the summer of 2018 and because of this, they are currently holding out for a sizeable £15m fee.

The winger scored seven goals and recorded 12 assists for Cardiff City in 37 Championship appearances last term - an impressive record that nearly took the Bluebirds to the play-offs after a huge upturn in their form with Mick McCarthy's arrival in January.

But after rarely getting any first-team opportunities in Merseyside, it was Derby County where he made his breakthrough, scoring 15 Championship goals under Frank Lampard in the 2018/19 season and with a loan spell at then-Premier League side AFC Bournemouth also under his belt, Liverpool are likely to stick with this high valuation.

It is currently unknown whether Marco Silva's side have the resources to fork out this much on an individual player despite leading the race - but Benfica and top-tier side Brentford were also said to be in the running.

No bid has been made for the 24-year-old at this stage.

The Verdict:

With his record at Derby and Cardiff, this is the sort of player who can fire you to promotion and that has to be the aim at Craven Cottage again next season after their recent relegation from the top flight.

However, £15m is a hefty fee to spend in the Championship on one player and especially high in Covid-19 times. Stoke City's summer spending spree after their demotion from the Premier League in 2018 should serve as a reminder of how clubs can decline if their heavy investment in the second tier doesn't work out.

Manager Silva will also want to invest in other areas which makes this deal seem even more unlikely. However, it's definitely worth both sides going to the negotiating table to see if a deal can be struck in the interest of all parties.

An eight-figure fee may be out of the Cottagers' reach though.