Liverpool are in ongoing talks with 15-year-old prodigy Josh Abe’s representatives as they seek to agree a contract with a winger wanted by Man City and Arsenal.
Abe has emerged as one of the standout talents in Liverpool’s academy this season with eight goals and three assists in 10 games for the U18s.
This is despite only turning 15 in July, with the teenager considered one of the most high-potential players in the Reds’ youth ranks, possessing the ability to make it at the highest level.
Liverpool are yet to tie Abe down to a scholarship deal, which is the only contract they can agree due to his age, and that has alerted a number of clubs.
The Athletic‘s James Pearce reports that Liverpool face losing the right winger if they cannot finalise terms by June 1.
After that point, Abe and his representatives at Tyler Alexander-Arnold’s PLG agency are free to negotiate with other clubs – of whom Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea are among those interested.
Liverpool have already made an offer for Abe’s scholarship while talks continue related to what he would earn on signing a first professional contract at 17.
Pearce explains that while a general policy is in place for first-year professionals to earn a basic wage of £52,000 a year, there are “exceptions to the rule.”
Those undoubtedly include the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, signed from Chelsea and Leicester in recent years with a direct pathway to the first-team squad.
But it could certainly apply to Abe not only due to the level of competition for his signature, but also the clear intention to progress him into the senior setup in the near future.
Abe has already trained with Arne Slot‘s squad on a number of occasions this season and this is seen as part of the club’s attempts to convince the youngster that he should commit to staying.
Josh Abe: 2025/26 Liverpool U18 Stats
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 10 (10 Starts) |
| Minutes Played | 704 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Mins per G/A | 64 |
Club History: Following his rapid ascent through the academy, Abe became Liverpool’s youngest-ever player in the UEFA Youth League this season, making his debut in the competition at just 15 years, six months and 17 days old.
There is a sense of urgency around the situation, not aided by reports his father is a lifelong Arsenal supporter, and as with any contract negotiation the longer talks drag on the more his performances can be used as leverage.
It is crucial to note that Abe has been with Liverpool since he was four years old and he is a local boy who grew up in Warrington.
That is unlike other players who could be considering their next step in the coming months such as Irish winger Trent Kone-Doherty, whose contract expires in July, and Manchester-born Kieran Morrison, who was signed from Man United at U14s level.
