Chelsea and Liverpool in 3-horse race for 17-year-old Serbian talent: Reports

Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly involved in a three-horse race with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Serbian sensation Andrija Maksimovic. As reported by TBR Football via Caught Offside, the three Premier League sides are among the many top European clubs to register interest in the 17-year-old.

Maksimovic plies his trade for Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian SuperLiga and is thought of very highly. The youngster is a versatile footballer who has already played in multiple positions, which is pretty impressive for a player of his age.

Maksimovic is predominantly an attacking midfielder but can also play on either flank and has even been used as a central midfielder and a right-back. A technically gifted player, he has drawn comparisons to Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez.

Maksimovic has made only nine appearances for the Red Star Belgrade senior team thus far, producing two assists. He formerly featured 29 times for Graficar Beograd in the Serbian First League on loan, notching up nine goals and three assists.

Despite his young age and limited experience, Maksimovic has already been capped twice for Serbia. In fact, he is the youngest player ever to represent Serbia in a competitive game.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool are all reportedly keen on the teenage Serbian prodigy. A chance of moving to arguably the best league in Europe could prove to be a lucrative opportunity for the wonderkid.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea have no shortage of talent in the middle of the park, but Maksimovic could be a solid long-term addition. Spurs also could do with a player who can add more creativity to their midfield ranks for many years to come.

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Former Chelsea player wants Liverpool star to join the Blues

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has claimed that he would love to see Liverpool number two Caoimhin Kelleher join the Blues. He has insisted that the Ireland international is too good to be a second-choice keeper.

Cundy has hailed Kelleher for stepping up every time he has been called upon by the Reds in Alisson Becker's absence. He has also urged his former club Chelsea to launch a move for the 25-year-old. Cundy told talkSPORT:

"What was really evident to me at the weekend was that Chelsea's No. 1 isn't as good as Liverpool's No. 2. Whenever I see Kelleher play, he looks top drawer. Sometimes when you see a No. 2 goalkeeper come in, you might see the defense drop a bit deeper or they're hesitant to do back passes."

"Whenever Kelleher's in goal and he's played a lot in the last 18 months to two years both in the Carabao Cup and Champions League, he never looks out of place," he added.

Cundy insisted that Liverpool look almost equally good with Alisson and Kelleher in goal. He urged Chelsea to make a move for the Irishman next summer when Giorgi Mamardashvili eventually joins the Merseyside club. He added:

"Liverpool don't look any weaker with him in goal and that is a massive compliment by the way. If you're a Liverpool fan, I know you've got [Giorgi] Mamardashvili coming in, but you don't want Kelleher to go either. He's too good to be a No. 2. I want him [at Chelsea]."

Caoimhin Kelleher has been a reliable number two for Liverpool in recent seasons. In the last season, he had to step in for the injured Alisson Becker for a considerable period and impressed everyone.

The Ireland international has made 51 appearances for the Reds, keeping 17 clean sheets and conceding 61 times. He has made four appearances this season, keeping two clean sheets and conceding just two goals.