Liverpool need to agree record contract for the 'most exciting' prospect

Liverpool have garnered a reputation for developing young players in recent years.

Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah and Connor Bradley are just some of the players who have made the jump from the Reds’ youth setup to the top level of football.

There are many top talents currently in Liverpool’s academy, but potentially the most promising is 15-year-old Josh Abe.

The forward has trained with Arne Slot’s first-team several times this season, but his future at Anfield is uncertain.

Liverpool won’t want to lose one of their biggest talents, but keeping Abe at the club could be complicated and could take a record-breaking deal.

The future of Josh Abe

Speculation over Abe’s future stretches back to the early weeks of the season, but the Athletic’s James Pearce has now provided some clarity on the situation.

Pearce describes Abe as one of the ‘most exciting’ youngsters at the club, and that this has resulted in rival Premier League clubs taking a keen interest.

According to Pearce, Abe is yet to accept Liverpool’s scholarship offer and from June 1 will be able to speak to other clubs.

This situation is strikingly similar to the events that led to Rio Ngumoha joining the Reds from Chelsea, and the 17-year-old's emergence as a first-team figure could encourage Abe to stay at Anfield.

Not only are Liverpool trying to secure Abe on a scholarship, but talks have already begun over the winger’s first professional contract when he turns 17 in 2027.

Pearce also points out that the Reds’ generally limit most of their first-year pros to a basic salary of around £1,000 a week plus bonuses, but there are exceptions to the rule.

“Other elite clubs are prepared to offer more guaranteed riches,” the report reads. “But Liverpool hope the clearer pathway they set out for Abe will hold sway.”

If the club do truly value Abe as the biggest prospect currently in the academy, then he is definitely a player worth making an exception for, and a record-breaking deal for a first-year pro could be what it takes to keep him at Anfield.

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