BURY are understood to be on the verge of selling Emeka Obi – the youngest ever player to appear for the first team – to Liverpool.

Sources at the club say the deal is expected to bring in a large, six-figure sum – all paid up front – with substantial add ons to follow.

However, due to his Nigerian heritage, visa issues are currently holding up the move.

Pre-contract papers have all been signed but the clubs are now waiting on the FA and the Football League's approval.

Obi made his professional debut in August, aged 15 years and 86 days, during Bury's 4-1 victory over Morecambe in the Checkatrade Trophy.

At 6ft 5ins, the centre-back did not look out of place when introduced off the substitutes bench with five minutes to go.

Obi spent time on trial at Stoke City in the summer but after returning to Gigg Lane, manager David Flitcroft handed the youngster his professional debut before labelling him the most talented youngster in the country.

“I think he’s the best talent right now at 15 years old in the entire country," Flitcroft said at the time of his debut. “He only came in the building two years ago and nothing fazes him.

“He’s been training with the first team and he’s going back to school next week.

"We’ve had him for five weeks, training with the first team, training with Ryan Kidd and he’s been playing with the under-18s.

“He’s just turned 15, he’s a man mountain, but we teach them how to play football and he’s going to be an unbelievable asset to the football club.

“He’s a kid that’s really switched on, I’ve watched him while he’s been on summer holidays and he’s been in every single day."

Obi now looks set to become the latest player from the Shakers academy to move up the leagues and bring in some much-needed additional income.

Defender Matty Foulds joined Everton last year while young goalkeeper Jack Ruddy was sold to Wolves in the summer for a reported five-figure fee.