The battle for Stevenage starlet Ben Wilmot is hotting up with a club source revealing to CometSport Liverpool are ‘strongly’ in the hunt for the highly-rated defender.

The Comet: Ben Wilmot on the ball in the game against Carlisle United FC. Picture: Danny LooBen Wilmot on the ball in the game against Carlisle United FC. Picture: Danny Loo (Image: Danny Loo Photography 2017)

Ball playing centre-half Wilmot, 18, made his debut for England U19’s in Macedonia against Latvia last month, and is being touted as the club’s first £1 million transfer deal.

Wilmot had been withdrawn from the squad that travelled to South Wales which beat Newport County AFC 1-0 on Saturday as a precaution against injury with a view to a transfer which, with add-ons could become the club’s first seven figure sale.

Boro chairman Phil Wallace, who is currently in America on private business, had said Manchester City were interested in the talented teenager, but it is believed their interest has cooled leaving Liverpool to make a bid.

A source at the League Two club told CometSport: “Liverpool are in strongly [for Wilmot]. Spurs are nowhere near while Chelsea have dismissed it.

“Liverpool are favourites.”

Stevenage have just appointed new boss Dino Maamria to the post with the team showing good form to win their last two games on the bounce, making it seven points out of nine.

The Lamex outfit are in the process of building a new North Stand and will welcome a seven figure cash injection as the popular Tunisian-born manager looks to add to his squad over the summer with a view to a hoped-for promotion push next season.

Boro take on Gary Flitcroft’s Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening with Wilmot not expected to feature in the League Two match while Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their eagerly-awaited Champions League quarter final second leg at the Etihad.

If the Anfield outfit do win the fight for Wilmot’s signature it is expected he will be developed by Liverpool Under 23 manager Neil Critchley with a view to the Stevenage-born youngster moving to the full squad.

A large number of Premier League scouts have been watching Wilmot since the New Year as the technically proficient centre-back – who can comfortably play the ball out from defence – has impressed since making his debut at MK Dons in October under previous boss Darren Sarll who found, developed and blooded him.

For the latest on what is set to become the biggest transfer in the North Herts club’s history follow Layth on Twitter @laythy29 and @Comet_Sport.