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Liverpool up against Manchester City and Chelsea for young duo likened to Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 5 February 2025 17:15, UK

TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Liverpool are up against Manchester City and Chelsea for South American Under-20 Championship duo Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre.

Although the transfer window has shut, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are always o൲n the lookout fo𒁃r exciting talents for the future.

Argentina, Boli🦄via, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and hosts Venezuela are all in action at the South American U20 Ch𒅌ampionship.

And though 😼Man Ci🔯ty and Chelsea lead the chase for the Argentine duo, there are plenty more Premier League clubs scouting out the talent at the tournament.

READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberc🔯h names t𝄹he player he considers to be his best friend at Liverpool now

Liverpool up against Manchester City and Chelsea for Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Man City and Chelsea are battling it out, and lead🍌ing the cha෴se, for Argentina’s young stars currently playing at the South American Under-20 Championship.

TBR Football understands that more than a dozen Premier League clubs are represented in Venezuela as they take in the youth tournament – which is♊ being dominated by Argentina and Colombia.

Man City already have their star man signed up after landing Claudio Echeverri from River Plate last summer, though his partici꧒pation in this tournament means he is yet to meet up with his new teammates.

When City landed Echeverri, th🎶ey also held talks with River over his teammates Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre – who like Echever🔯ri are starring in Venezuela.

City are keen on both striker Ruberto, 19, and winger Subiabre, 18, and City Group are hoping to tee up deals for both – however, the interest in both is growiꦑng.

Both were on target in Argentina’s recent 2-1 win over Chile on Monday, whilst they were also on the🅷 scoresheet in the 6-0 hammering of Brazil late last month.

TBR Football can re🦩veal that Chelsea/BlueCo – who have as good a connection♔ in South America as any club – are doing their work on both players.

However, we can also reveal that Liverpool and Newcastle are also amongst a raft of clubs doing their🐟 work on the pair.

Aside from Echeverri, Ruberto and Subiabre – it is also believed that midfielder Valentino Acuna and defenders Tobias 🍒Ramirez and Juan Gimenez are impre🍌ssing.

We are also told that Brighton, Bournemouth, Wolves, Nottingham Fore✨st, Brentfor𓆏d and Aston Villa are also represented in Venezuela.

Agustin Ruberto and Ian Subiabre factfile

♒Ruberto has come through the ranks ✱at River Plate, who boast one of the best academies in South America.

The 19-year-old has already made 17 competitive appearances for River Pꦯlate ꦓafter quickly outgrowing the second-team setup.

Ruberto is also flying forꦫ Argentina’s Under-20s after registering a staggering 24 goals and three assists from 31 appearances for their Under-17s.

Jacek Kulig previous🅷ly said Ruberto has a ‘very complete skillset for a striker of his age and profile’ and likened him to Rob♚ert Lewandowski.

Likewise, Subiabre has come through the ranks 🌃at River Plate, with four senior appearances to his name along with 30 outings for the second team.

described Subiabre as ‘an excellent mix of a winger and advanced plﷺaymaker’ andℱ likened him to Bernardo Silva and Pablo Sarabia.