Liverpool wonderkid rejects 'record-breaking' contract from Premier League rivals

One of the hottest properties among Liverpool's youth ranks has committed his future to the Anfield club despite bumper offers from elsewhere in the Premier League.

Reds youngster Josh Abe, 15, has signed a pre-contract agreement to begin next year.

Abe, a winger who has been on Liverpool's books since the age of four, is also understood to have been a target for La Liga giants Real Madrid, where former Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold now plays.

The England youth international has been playing a couple of years ahead of his age at Liverpool and is considered by some observers as the next academy prospect to come through at the level of teenage Londoner Rio Ngumoha, who has featured in 19 matches in the Premier League and won't turn 18 until August.

According to The Athletic, Warrington-raised Abe and his family rebuffed interest from other clubs in the Premier League to sign scholarship terms with the Reds.

"The 15-year-old winger, who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents at the Kirkby academy, has signed scholarship terms with a pre-contract agreement in place for a three-year professional deal to start when he turns 17 in July 2027," reports James Pearce.

"It’s a huge boost for Liverpool after months of discussions which were led by Fenway Sports Group technical director Julian Ward.

"Sources familiar with the process, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, stating that the youngster was offered pro terms in excess of £50,000 per week from Premier League rivals to move away from Liverpool."

Liverpool fend off Premier League competition to retain Abe into the professional game

Local reports indicate that the interested clubs included rivals Manchester United and Manchester City, who have been tracking Abe for years and are understood to have made a previous approach with a view to moving him up the M62.

Pearce, who reveals that Abe will be given a squad number next season, reports that senior recognition is imminent: "An impressive season for him at youth level was ended prematurely by a knee injury while playing for England Under-16s in a tournament in Turkey in February.

"However, he’s set to be fit for pre-season and will be included in the first-team squad for next month’s tour of the United States."

11 players under the age of 18 appeared in the Premier League in 2025-26 but none was younger than Abe.

Arsenal's Max Dowman was given his debut at 15, made six league appearances overall and became the Premier League's youngest-ever starter, aged 16, on the final day of the season.