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Even though the transfer window is closed, clubs don’t rest. Behind the scenes at England’s elite academies, the real work continues – scouting missions intensify, agents arrange meetings, and the battle for the next generation of superstars rages on without pause.
For Liverpool, that battle has arrived at their doorstep in the form of 16-year-old academy sensation Joshua Abe, who finds himself at the center of a tug-of-war involving Premier League heavyweights Manchester City and Chelsea.
The young midfielder, regarded as one of the most exciting prospects currently emerging from Liverpool’s Kirkby academy, has attracted serious attention from rival clubs desperate to pry him away from Anfield before he commits his long-term future to the Reds.
Speaking on Media Matters for Anfield Index, Merseyside journalist Lewis Steele confirmed the growing speculation and shed light on the situation.
“There’s a lot of legs in that story [Chelsea and Manchester City interest] and I don’t know where it’s going to go,” Steele admitted. “But they will be doing all they can to keep him because he’s very, very talented.”
🚨Exclusive: Liverpool are facing a battle to keep academy star Josh Abe, with Man City and Chelsea both interested.
His agent, Tyler Alexander-Arnold, will play a big part in his future.
[via @LewisSteele_] pic.twitter.com/brvwy3OyeH
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) February 2, 2026
“If you have ever seen him play, you can likely understand why,” Steele continued “I believe he could be the most thrilling talent in the academy at present.”
The teenager has recently signed with PLG, the agency run by Tyler Alexander-Arnold – brother of former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold – a move that has added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga.:
“He trained with the first team last week. It’s not unheard of for clubs to just put players like this, giving them the debut in the first team, just to be like, look, you’re in now,” Steele said. “Liverpool might put him on the bench for a few games to give him a taste.”
It remains to be seen whether Arne Slot’s first-team exposure and Liverpool’s ongoing negotiations with his representatives prove enough to keep him at Anfield.
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