Chelsea and Arsenal trying to sign ‘best in country’ star from Liverpool

Robin Bairner

Updated: 21 Nov 2025 08:41 GMT
2 min read

Premier League managers, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, Arne Slot, Liverpool, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Chelsea and Arsenal are both seeking to sign Liverpool wonderkid Joshua Abe, with the door open for the 15-year-old to leave Anfield.

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Abe is a player that the Reds are desperate to hold onto, but a challenge has emerged from their Premier League rivals as the teenager plots the next stage of his career, The Daily Mail reports.

The winger is described in the article as one of “the best of his age group across the country”.

Who is Joshua Abe?

Abe is a winger who has caught the eye largely thanks to his exploits against much older kids. Although he is only 15 years old, he has been playing for Liverpool U18 and has been enormously successful, with four goal contributions in five games.

On top of this, he has a thrilling style that is likely to endear him to supporters. He is a player whose stock is one-on-one dribbling, which is said to have made him one of the most watchable players in the Reds academy.

Chelsea ‘revenge mission’

Chelsea are said to be on something of a ‘revenge mission’ as they target Abe. The Blues saw wonderkid Rio Ngumoha depart Stamford Bridge to join Liverpool in 2024. The 16-year-old has already impressed in Arne Slot’s first team and the Blues were reportedly so unhappy about the deal that Reds scouts were banned from Cobham.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are said to benefit from Abe’s dad being a lifelong Gooner, while they can also point to the rapid integration of Max Dowman into their first team as evidence that even exceptionally young players will be given the chance if good enough.

Indeed, the market for players aged between 14 and 16 has become fiercely competitive among the top Premier League clubs, in part because Brexit regulations now block foreign imports arriving until they have turned 18.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are among the three most competitive clubs at this level, so it is little surprise to see the trio all battling over the highly rated Abe.

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