Chelsea prepare for 'bitter' war with Liverpool over Rio Ngumoha as Blues demand high compensation fee

Liverpool and Chelsea are set to be entangled in a 'bitter' legal war over Reds sensation Rio Ngumoha. The teenager, who turns 17 this Friday, left the Blues' academy last year and joined Liverpool's youth system. The youngster has made rapid improvement in his game and on Monday night, he turned hero for the Premier League champions by scoring a late winner against Newcastle United.

  • and in legal battle
  • Ngumoha left Blues for Reds
  • Scored winner against Newcastle on Monday

Chelsea prepare for 'bitter' war with Liverpool over Rio Ngumoha as Blues demand high compensation feeChelsea prepare for 'bitter' war with Liverpool over Rio Ngumoha as Blues demand high compensation feeChelsea prepare for 'bitter' war with Liverpool over Rio Ngumoha as Blues demand high compensation fee

After his heroics at St James’ Park, Liverpool are set to offer Ngumoha his first professional contract, which will be valid for one year, once the forward turns 17 this Friday. However, the Reds will enter a legal war with rivals Chelsea over a sizeable compensation fee for the youngster, according to The Telegraph.

The report notes that, under Premier League regulations, big English clubs have never agreed on a set fee for the transfer of academy players. In many cases, the fee is decided by a compensation committee. Chelsea are determined to get a sizeable amount from the deal, which will be heard by the committee in the coming days. Ngumoha’s latest form for the Reds will be another argument that the Blues will present to get better compensation.

Ngumoha joined Chelsea’s full-time education programme during his schoolboy days. The player was offered a scholarship by the west London side, but he and his family rejected the offer.

Ngumoha will hope that his game time under Arne Slot improves as the 2025-26 campaign progresses. He could come up against fellow teenage sensation Max Dowman when head to Anfield on Sunday.