A potential transfer rival has emerged for Sheffield Wednesday in their hopes of signing Liverpool starlet Kieran Morrison.

The Owls were linked with a potential loan swoop for the 19-year-old, who has been a regular in the Reds’ pre-season schedule, featuring in four of their six matches and scoring once.

Wednesday Learn Of New Rival

Alan Nixon reported yesterday that Henrik Pedersen’s side were keen on the Northern Ireland international as part of a late-window attempt to strengthen their forward options ahead of the League One season.

However, they are now set to face competition to sign Morrison, with the Athletic’s Gregg Evans and James Pearce reporting that Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen have lodged an enquiry for the winger.

Dick Lukkien’s side have got off to a stellar start to their league campaign, with two wins from as many games, putting them second in the table ahead of their clash against PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool have been waiting until the end of the window to sanction loan exits for their youth crop, with James McConnell also tipped for a League One move amid interest from Leicester City.

Morrison is not the only creative player that the Owls have looked at, with reports also linking them to a potential deal for Bolton Wanderers’ John McAtee, who is also of interest to Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic.

Any spell away from Anfield would be the 19-year-old’s first senior loan spell, having featured just twice in the Reds’ senior team, both of which were in their EFL Cup and FA Cup campaigns last season.

Can Wednesday Win Battle?

Sheffield Wednesday are looking to put the final parts of their team together to combat League One, and with Kieran Morrison they could have the ideal final addition considering their current transfer restrictions.

However, they may face a big battle to try and convince Liverpool that they are the right destination with the emergence of FC Groningen as a potential transfer rival.

With the Reds already having ties with the Dutch side stemming from their past association with Virgil van Dijk as well as their offering of top-flight football in a competitive European league, the Owls may now suddenly be on the back foot.

Morrison may not be first choice at Hillsborough considering the competition for places in Louie Barry, Harry Gray and others, and that could certainly prove to be a decisive factor in who Liverpool opt to send their youth star to.

While the EFL has been the making of many a successful footballer in recent years, they may be forced to look elsewhere for their final attacking addition as they continue to explore the loan market before the window shuts.