Liverpool in line to pay Chelsea seven-figure Rio Ngumoha fee after new development
Liverpool could be forced to pay Chelsea millions after a Rio Ngumoha controversy has emerged.
Ngumoha hit the headlines after scoring the winner for Liverpool in their action-packed victory over Newcastle United on Monday (25 August).
The 16-year-old found the back of the net in injury after coming off the bench to make his Premier League debut in the 3-2 victory at St James’ Park.
The England Under-17 international, who made his professional debut in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley in January, was handed the opportunity against Newcastle after impressing Arne Slot in pre-season.
Ngumoha’s winner on Tyneside came after 10-man Newcastle fought back from 2-0 down following strikes from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike earlier in the game.
Rio Ngumoha at the centre of ‘bitter’ legal dispute
Ngumoha spent eight years in Chelsea’s academy before joining Liverpool last summer.
That move hasn’t been taken well at Stamford Bridge, with the latest development rubbing salt into the Blues’ wounds.
The Telegraph reported on Tuesday (26 August) Ngumoha is at the centre of a “bitter” legal dispute between Liverpool and Chelsea following his move to Anfield.
The teenager can sign his first one-year professional contract when he turns 17 on Friday (29 August), but the newspaper said no fee has been agreed between the two Premier League rivals.
However, Ngumoha’s case is due to be heard by a tribunal, which will decide how much compensation Slot’s side will be forced to pay Chelsea.
The Blues are likely to be in line for a seven-figure payout as their former youth product continues to show his quality on Merseyside.
Liverpool forced to pay two record-breaking transfer fees
Liverpool have been at the centre of high-profile cases of this nature in the past, having previously paid a record tribunal fee for Danny Ings.
The Reds were ordered to pay Burnley £6.5million for the striker and up to £1.5million in performance-related add-ons after signing him following the expiration of his contract at Turf Moor in June 2015.
Meanwhile, the Clarets received a further £3.6million from Liverpool following Ings’s £20million move to Southampton in 2019.
Liverpool set another record when they signed Harvey Elliott from Fulham in 2019.
The Merseyside giants were ordered to pay a guaranteed £2.8million and potentially £1.5million in add-ons – the highest fee at the time for a 16-year-old.
Elliott has since gone on to make 149 appearances for Liverpool, registering 15 goals and 20 assists.
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