Chelsea want £14m wonderkid in Rio Ngumoha revenge mission

Liverpool are always on the lookout for the best young talents. In 2024, the Reds completed a sensational deal for Chelsea youngster Rio Ngumoha - who moved initially to the club’s under-18 sector.

Ngumoha, 17, has now developed into a bonafide first-team option - scoring on his Premier League debut against Newcastle before the international break.

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The move left Chelsea indignant, banishing Liverpool scouts from their underage fixtures in order to prevent losing another generation-defining talent such as Ngumoha.

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And now there are signs that Chelsea are ready to seek vengeance on the Reds with a wonderkid move of their own.

Liverpool move early for Deinner Ordonez

Anfield Watch brought you news back in January that Liverpool had under consideration a young South American jewel called Deinner Ordonez.

The 15-year-old defender is the latest star off the production line of talent at Independiente del Valle in Ecuador. The club is famous for producing players like Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie - now starring for Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

Liverpool made an early move on Ordonez, who won’t be entitled to move to Europe until he reaches 18 in October 2027.

But the standout talent clearly impressed club recruiters at the recent U20 Copa Sudamericana where he made the step up through the age groups.

A right-footed centre-back, he is most at home on the left side of the defence and is described as comfortable on the ball.

Now Chelsea move in for Ordonez

But having secured deals for Caicedo and Kendry Paez - now Chelsea have got their eyes on Ordonez.

That’s according to a new report - which claims a bid of £14m could be in the offing from Stamford Bridge.

Paez - currently at Strasbourg - remained at Independiente del Valle until he was old enough to move to Europe with Chelsea inking a deal to sign him back in 2023.

A similar deal could be constructed for Ordonez although Liverpool will have plenty to say before that eventuality comes to pass.

Chelsea hold talks for wonderkid

“Chelsea have held talks over a move for Ecuador defensive prodigy Deinner Ordonez,” the report reads.

“Independiente are willing to strike a deal to sell the youngster, similar to the transfer structured previously for Paez who agreed to leave at 16 but was only eligible for transfer this summer in turning 18.

Ordonez does not turn 18 until October 2027 but there is already talk of Independiente looking for around £14million including add on payments for the teenager.”

It remains to be seen what becomes of Ordonez - but Liverpool will require a centre-back refit in the years ahead.

Giovanni Leoni, 18, has come in to augment Arne Slot’s options but there are question marks over both Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate. Defensive leader Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, is contracted until 2027.

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