Liverpool will reportedly break their academy wage structure to sign Chelsea youngster Rio Ngumoha this summer. The Reds are said to be closing in on a deal for the 15-year-old winger, who is currently part of the youth set-up at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool appointed Arne Slot as their new manager earlier this year, with the Dutchman succeeding Jurgen Klopp, who left Anfield following a eight-and-a-half year spell at the club.

And Slot will be looking to make a big impression in the transfer market during his first summer in charge as he looks to get his team firing on all cylinders ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

But the 45-year-old appears to have one eye on the future and clearly wants to ensure he has talent at his disposal for the long-term.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Ngumoha and will break their historical academy salary structure to get a deal over the line. Reds chiefs are said to rate Ngumoha highly, and a deal is expected to be completed soon.

Liverpool are yet to make any signings this summer, with Slot reportedly assessing the talent he already has at Anfield before deciding how his players fit into his plans.

The former Feyenoord manager has been watching footage of Liverpool matches and training sessions since beginning his duties and is waiting to see his stars in the flesh following this summer’s international tournaments.

The Merseyside giants are set to fly out to the USA at the end of the month for their pre-season tour and are scheduled to take on Arsenal in Philadelphia on July 31 ahead of a clash with Manchester United in South Carolina three days afterwards.

But he could be without nine first-team aces as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Ibrahima Konate are still involved at Euro 2024, while Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister are currently starring at the Copa America.

If Ngumoha does complete a move to the north west, he will be hoping to shine in the academy and work his way into the first-team.

The teenager featured regularly for the Blues’ under-18s side last season and was also invited to train with the first-team.

And his endeavours have already attracted plenty of admirers, with reports earlier in the summer suggesting the ace was being chased by a number of Premier League clubs.