Liverpool target Lennon Miller’s next club must immediately offer him a shot at first-team football.
That’s the view of the midfielder’s father Lee, who had spells in England with Middlesbrough and Carlisle during his own playing days.
The Reds have been keeping tabs on the promising Motherwell midfielder and are reportedly ready to pay around £8.3million to bring the 18-year-old to Anfield.
Following the successful acquisition of starlets Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak, Liverpool are on the lookout for their next youthful investment.
But the Premier League leaders have competition for his signature in the form of Brighton, Newcastle and Southampton, who are also monitoring the Scotland Under-21 international.
Serie A clubs have likewise turned their attention to Miller following Italy becoming a breeding ground for Scottish talent in recent years.
Speaking on The Warm Up podcast, retired striker Lee admits he has reservations over a potential move to Anfield if his son is not thrust into the first-team picture.
He also concedes that Italy could provide his son with the perfect platform to flourish much like compatriots Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.
“It’s a different time,” he said. “Italy is looking at Scottish players, especially midfielders, right now and for whatever reason they are getting them across there and actually playing them.
“It’s a really good option – the pathway is interesting.”
“For me, my advice is you need to be playing,” he added. “His next move is so important to play and develop.
“He doesn’t want to go and play in the Under 23s and build himself up, he’s a first-team player now.
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“People are respecting him for that, his teammates are respecting him for that so it is a difficult one.
“He’s loving playing at Motherwell, he loves being there but it will eventually come where he has to go to further his career.”
Liverpool scouts are believed to have been impressed by Miller’s performances so far ahead of a potential move in 2025.
The midfielder has made 59 appearances for Motherwell, registering five goals in the process.
This season he has made 22 appearances already, scoring four goals and bagging five assists in all competitions.
And despite his tender age, Miller has captained the club on his last six outings.
That included wearing the armband against Scottish giants Rangers in the League Cup.