Real Madrid offer Liverpool double wonderkid transfer warning | OneFootball

Liverpool have developed a reputation of producing some of the finest young players in the game.

There is a debate raging around Rio Ngumoha right now - and whether the England under-19 international deserves more game time.

Rio, 17, has been a regular in Arne Slot’s matchday squads but has been frustrated over a lack of significant minutes. It’s understandable that the winger would be fed up - with Cody Gakpo hardly pulling up any trees on the left-hand side.

Another young talent in the pipeline is Joshua Abe. The 15-year-old is currently injured and not expected to play again this season. But Liverpool have got high hopes for the left-footed forward - who has already trained with the first team.

The Premier League champions need to be alert to Real Madrid however as their new scouting blueprint takes shape.

Real Madrid tracking PL wonderkids

TEAMtalk is reporting that president Florentino Perez and Madrid recruiters are watching the Premier League closely - and currently have EIGHT young players under surveillance.

Archie Gray is mentioned as the No1 target, with the Tottenham 19-year-old impressing in difficult circumstances.

“Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, and Chelsea duo Josh Acheampong and Jesse Derry are all names that have impressed Madrid’s scouting department,” the report reads.

“More recently, Wolves’ Matheus Mane has also been attracting attention.”

While the report doesn’t mention Ngumoha and Abe specifically there is plenty of reason for concern.

“The eight names we have mentioned are on their radar, but more targets could still emerge in the coming months,” the report reads.

Madrid like Ngumoha and Abe

Ngumoha was the subject of Real Madrid interest last summer before he signed his first-ever pro deal when he turned 17.

The terms of agreements for young talents mean that Ngumoha is ONLY tied to Liverpool until 2028. If he grows frustrated at a lack of opportunities he could force Liverpool’s hand by refusing to extend his deal.

Abe meanwhile is now part of Tyler Alexander-Arnold’s PLG agency and recently visited the Bernabeu where the 15-time European champions rolled out the red carpet.

And crucially Abe has not yet agreed to sign the scholar deal put in front of him at Anfield.

Madrid are among the clubs reportedly monitoring the situation - with domestic rivals thought to include Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

And so Liverpool need to pull out all the stops in order to get him tied down as quickly as possible. Ngumoha too needs to be convinced that his future interests are best served by staying on Merseyside long-term.

Otherwise it won’t be long until Madrid come sniffing around again.