Burnley whizkid John Cofie wants a move to Liverpool over Manchester United, it has been revealed.

The Times says despite strong overtures from Chelsea and United, Cofie is understood to favour a move to Liverpool and accepted an invitation from the club to attend their Carling Cup fourth-round victory over Cardiff City at Anfield last week. Burnley hope to receive at least £1 million in compensation if the teenager leaves, but Liverpool believe they may secure his services for barely a quarter of that sum.

Although Liverpool have won the FA Youth Cup for the past two seasons with a squad made up largely of players brought through their own academy, Rafael Benitez, the manager, has overseen the acquisition of more than 20 teenagers over the past two-and-a-half years, the vast majority of them from overseas.

Indeed, while 15 year-old Cofie is currently on Burnley's books, he was first spotted playing in Germany by manager Steve Cotterill.