Liverpool are set to hand Rio Ngumoha his first professional contract when he turns 17, but Chelsea are determined to demand a hefty compensation fee, opening up a tense legal battle between two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha – who scored Liverpool’s winner against Newcastle United at St James’ Park – is set to sign his first professional one-year contract when he turns 17 on Friday.

However, Liverpool could face a legal battle with Chelsea over compensation for the youngster, according to The Telegraph. Chelsea are said to want a high fee, seeing it as necessary to protect academy talent and prevent young players from leaving too easily.

Rio Ngumoha scores the winning goal for Liverpool in their 3-2 win over Newcastle United

Ngumoha joined Chelsea as a pre-academy player and was offered a scholarship at Cobham Academy, but his family refused to commit long-term, opting instead to take him to Liverpool. Under Premier League rules, there are no set fees for academy players, and disputes are usually resolved by the league’s compensation committee. Ngumoha’s winning goal for Liverpool could be used by Chelsea as evidence of the player’s value, in order to demand a higher compensation fee in the upcoming dispute.

Ngumoha’s case reflects a new trend in English football, with big clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City starting to compete fiercely at academy level. While disputes over first-team players have long been part of the transfer culture, the pursuit of young players from other academies is still a new phenomenon.

Chelsea have seen the courts set fees for a number of young players, such as Shim Mheuka from Brighton for around £3.25m, or Reggie Watson from Crystal Palace for over £1m.

Ngumoha left Chelsea last summer after joining the academy as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥

The tension between Liverpool and Chelsea over the recruitment and retention of young talent is not new. Dominic Solanke moved to Liverpool as a 17-year-old, and Chelsea have been linked with big names at Anfield on numerous occasions. Ngumoha’s departure from Chelsea to Liverpool has further inflamed the rivalry between the two clubs, underlining the importance of protecting academies and the rights of young players in modern football.

With Liverpool close to signing Ngumoha on a professional contract, and Chelsea determined to demand compensation, the case is expected to be heard in the coming months, and is sure to be one of the most high-profile academy talent battles in recent years in the Premier League.