Liverpool taking ‘huge risk’ as record-breaking deal agreed – Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Liverpool have taken a “big gamble” by reportedly breaking their wage structure to sign teenager Rio Ngumoha.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted there is a “huge element of risk” in the deal for the promising 15-year-old.
It has been widely reported that England Under-16 winger Ngumoha has left Chelsea to join Liverpool’s youth setup.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano (8 July), the Reds have broken their “historical wage structure” to land the teenage sensation, who turns 16 later this month.
The left-sided star had already turned out for Chelsea’s Under-18 side before his departure.
Liverpool may have handed 15-year-old more than ‘£50,000-a-week’, says Wyness
Wyness claimed Liverpool’s wage limit for top young talent was “£50,000-a-week”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s been reported that the Liverpool academy has broken their wage structure for this deal.
“I think they had a limit of £50,000-a-week for the young talent in the past.
“They also restricted the engine size of the youngster’s cars.
“What’s interesting about this deal is that Ngumoha is just 15, turning 16 in a couple of weeks.
“I’ve been in this situation with promising talent in the Under-16s. You don’t know whether they will have a growth spurt or face social pressures.
“It’s always a big gamble to bring in a 15-year-old for big money.
“Chelsea have had an embarrassment of riches come through the academy.
“Certainly, this is interesting for someone to change club at just 15 and he’s obviously a young, promising talent.
“At that age, however, there’s a huge element of risk.
“Liverpool have got to give him the right place to settle in this age group.”
In other news, Liverpool set sights on signing two goalkeepers.
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