Liverpool are facing a battle to keep hold of their 15-year-old academy prospect Joshua Abe, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the elite clubs monitoring the teenager.
17:00, 20 Nov 2025
Enzo Maresca on the touchline.
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Chelsea are reportedly looking to sign a Liverpool academy starlet.(Image: Clive Mason)
Liverpool are bracing themselves for a tug-of-war over one of their brightest young talents - Joshua Abe - with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly showing an interest. The 15-year-old prodigy has caught the attention of several top-tier clubs, with the Gunners and Blues said to be interested.
Born in July 2010, Abe has already made five appearances for Liverpool's Under-18s this season, netting two goals and setting up two more. A dynamic winger who thrives on one-on-one situations and getting into positions to score goals, Abe has also earned his stripes as an England Under-16 international - and has even featured once for the Under-21s at club level.
Chelsea are toped to be closely monitoring Abe's progress, with their interest being dubbed a 'revenge mission' following Rio Ngumoha's transfer from Stamford Bridge to Anfield in 2024. That's according to Daily Mail reports.
Ngumoha, now 17, left Chelsea for Liverpool - much to the annoyance of the Blues - who subsequently banned Liverpool scouts from attending academy games at their Cobham training base.
Despite not yet making his first-team debut, many within the academy circles think that Abe is one of the most promising youngsters currently on Liverpool's books.
Abe has not yet signed a scholarship contract with the Reds, which is said to have caught Chelsea and Arsenal's attention, along with several other top clubs who are keeping a close eye on his situation.
Adding another layer to the story, it's believed Abe's father is a lifelong Arsenal supporter, which could possibly sway any decision. It's not uncommon for clubs to sign players at this age, and some of Liverpool's current youth sides are comprised of players from other academies.
The online account Secret Scout, which has 253,000 followers, posted: "In my opinion, Abe is the BEST winger in the country at this age."
That represents a significant statement given the development of Arsenal star Max Dowman, 15, who has been outstanding in the Gunners' first-team following his debut earlier this campaign.
Ngumoha in action for Liverpool.
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Rio Ngumoha left Chelsea to join Premier League rivals Liverpool.(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Ngumoha found the net from the subs bench on his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Newcastle in August. He has subsequently featured in six additional matches for the Reds this term, including one Champions League outing.
"He's a player that can finish really well for his age," Liverpool boss Arne Slot said in praise of Ngumoha after the teenager scored in the win over Newcastle. "How firm his shot was, you don't see this often for a 16-year-old.
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"I did hear someone afterwards in the dressing room, I won't say who, said that they would have taken that ball, have a first touch, then finish it off. But he's so confident.
"That's what I like, because the first ball he got he wasn't afraid. He immediately took someone on.
"When the second player came, he got across him, and for him to score that goal is not completely a coincidence - because for his age he's an amazing finisher."