The agent of Saint-Etienne's Kurt Zouma has dropped the heaviest hint yet suggesting the highly rated defender could be on the move to Liverpool this summer.

The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest young defensive talents in world football, having emerged from the club's youth ranks last season and almost immediately asserted himself in the St Etienne back line.

The powerful centre half has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen all having been credited with interest. But after suggesting that Zouma is ready to leave Ligue 1, David Vanditelli, the defender's agent, revealed there is strong interest emanating from Anfield.

"It would not displease him to say," Vanditelli told Eurosport France.

"Playing in the Europa League is a prospect that pleases him. But Liverpool and other clubs are very interesting."

Perhaps most tellingly from the Liverpool perspective, Zouma's agent went on to state that the young defender would be willing to bide his time on the Liverpool bench and gradually work himself into contention at the club.

"Today, Kurt is ready to leave," Vanditelli added. "He could leave to sit on the bench, but it is better to be on the bench of a big club like Liverpool, with all due respect to Saint Etienne."

Zouma has been touted as a potential replacement for Jamie Carragher, whose retirement is imminent.

Having initially played a peripheral role in Rodgers' side in the early stages of the campaign, the long serving Carragher has been integral since the turn of the year having started the club's last 15 games in a row, and his poised to leave a gaping hole in the club's back four this summer.

In addition to Zouma, the Reds have been heavily linked with Sporting Lisbon starlet Tiago Ilori.

The 20-year-old has rose to prominence in Portugal during the second half of the season, and Sporting's precarious financial position suggests they may have no choice but to cash in on their coveted centre half.

The Merseyside club however have no intention of making a move for Lyon defender Dejan Lovren, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Source: IBTimes