Liverpool have reportedly taken two players from The Gambia on a fortnight-long trial. Musa Jatta Bajaha and Sheriff Bah are said to have been spotted during a scouting trip in the West African country.
The pair are from BST Galaxy, who finished seventh in the 16-team GFA League First Division, The Gambia's top tier, and their chief executive, Bubacarr Steve Trawally, has also apparently accompanied them to Liverpool.
Similar move earlier this year
Mor Talla Ndiaye made a similar move from West Africa earlier this year, with the Reds signing him from the Senegalese club Amitie for £1million. Bah and Bajaha could now follow suit.
A spokesperson for their club has acknowledged the situation, saying: "We find pride in this, having a big club like Liverpool FC inviting two of our best youngsters to travel all the way to the UK, to see them."
"This speaks volumes about our hard work as a team and the commitment and values we have as a club."
"To signify the importance of this event is how the club CEO is also committing himself, in travelling with these players, not only travelling with them but motivating them along the way. This clearly shows how important this opportunity is for our youngsters."
Prospects for the future
Gambian journalist Foday Manneh claims the youngsters have impressed with their technical qualities and are considered big prospects for the future. They will hope to replicate Ndiaye's success if they sign for Liverpool.
The teenage central defender was on the substitutes' bench for three Premier League matches at the end of last season, on the back of three appearances in Premier League 2 for the under-21s.
He then featured four times during Liverpool's pre-season friendlies this summer, starting Andoni Iraola's first match as head coach against Sunderland. Ndiaye then started in the under-21s Merseyside derby last week, which finished 1-1.
Gambian Premier League history
While there are plenty of Senegalese players who have made their mark in the Premier League, just two Gambians have featured in it. Modou Barrow was the first of those for Swansea City in 2014, playing 51 times in the top tier.
It took another decade for the second to debut, Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion. Liverpool have tried to sign the winger during this summer transfer window, having two offers rejected by the Seagulls.
Their head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, spoke at length about Minteh during his press conference on Thursday, concluding: "Let's see the ideas from Liverpool."
