Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Ligue 2 side USL Dunkerque to loan out 20-year-old defender Billy Koumetio.
According to L’Equipe, the French youngster will join the second-tier side for the season with Liverpool hopeful of Koumetio getting his development back on track.
The youngster joined Austria Bundesliga side Austria Vienna last season, though Koumetio made little impact as the defender saw his loan spell cut short halfway through the campaign.
As a result, Liverpool will be hopeful that Koumetio can get back to his best out on loan with Dunkerque, with the defender returning to his home country something that could get the youngster back on track.
Praised by coach Barry Lewtas as an ‘unbelievable’ talent, Koumetio has been tipped by many Liverpool fans as a potential successor to Virgil van Dijk in the starting XI.
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However, the defender’s progress has been slow in the last two seasons, meaning that Koumetio will be under pressure this year to make some big strides in his development if he is to reach his true potential.
Loaning Koumetio to France is a great decision by Liverpool
Born in Lyon and coming through the ranks and Orleans, returning to France could do Koumetio a world of good, with a second-tier side in Dunkerque an ideal move for the youngster.
Playing in a familiar country whilst speaking in his native language could have a huge effect on Koumetio’s performances, and the French second-tier is an ideal league for the defender to develop in.
Moreover, the spotlight will be away from Koumetio giving the stature of the club he will be playing for, with the defender now set for the biggest season of his young career so far.