Chelsea are ‘furious’ as Liverpool line up a deal for their top talent – Liverpool FC

With Liverpool poised to sign 15-year-old Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea, the London club are said to be “furious” at losing the youngster.

Ngumoha is expected to become the latest addition to the outstanding ranks of the Reds’ academy, with the teenager set to sign on scholarship when he turns 16 later this month.

He comes after years at Chelsea, although Fabrizio Romano’s claims that Liverpool would break their existing wage structure to sign him have since been dismissed.

However, Ngumoha is now widely reported as an imminent arrival at the AXA Training Centre, with PostLewis Steele is among those who will cover the talks.

The skilful winger, who usually plays on the left, is said to be “motivated by the route and opportunities offered at Liverpool”, with last season’s Carabao Cup triumph being a prime example.

His decision, which is unlikely to be officially announced by Liverpool due to the player’s age, is said to have left Chelsea “furious”.

This comes despite Chelsea still blocking the way with bids for Brazilian winger Estevao, 17, and Ecuadorian attacking midfielder Kendry Paez, 16, for a total of £68.3m this summer.

They have also brought in Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu, both 18, from Aston Villa and Barcelona respectively, while 19-year-olds Deivid Washington, Angelo and Diego Moreira are in contention and them for a place outside the field.

It goes without saying that a player like Ngumoha would see Liverpool as a more likely route to first-team football.

Although there has been a managerial change at Anfield, the arrival of Arne Slot as head coach is not expected to affect the club’s commitment to youth.

Trey Nyoni, Amara Nallo and Kieran Morrison, all 17, have already been involved in the early days of pre-season as part of the next generation of young talent.

Liverpool were also hoping to sign attacking midfielder Ryan McAidoo, 16, from Chelsea this summer, but he is now set to join Man City.

However, a deal has been struck for Wolves defender Alvin Ayman, with the 16-year-old – who can also play in defense – likely to join Ngumoha in the U18s squad for the start of the season.

The Reds are set to confirm their next signing in the coming weeks, with Djibril Cisse’s son Prince Kobe Cisse among those understood to have been offered terms.

Zac Jagielka, son of former Everton defender Phil, has left the club for Hull City though.