Liverpool are facing a fight on their hands to keep top academy talent Josh Abe at the club.
The 15-year-old has had a breakthrough period with the Reds while playing for the U18s this season.
His talent has not gone unnoticed, with claims emerging in November that Chelsea will try and sign Abe as revenge for Liverpool‘s poaching of Rio Ngumoha in 2024.
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But while the Blues are reportedly aiming to capitalise on Abe’s lack of a scholarship contract with Liverpool, Real Madrid appear to have also entered the fray.
Although it is testament to what a talent Liverpool potentially have on their hands, fans should be concerned after seeing Abe visit the Santiago Bernabeu and pose with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Real Madrid could be trying to poach Josh Abe
Liverpool supporters have long become sick of Real Madrid. Despite the Reds beating them in their past two meetings, the Spanish giants have made their life a misery in the recent past.
The latest of those upsetting instalments came over the summer, when boyhood Red Alexander-Arnold jumped ship to join Los Blancos.
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Although he is clearly a much less-heralded name – for now – it appears that Abe could have designs on following the same path.
The 15-year-old took to his Instagram stories to reveal that he was at the Bernabeu for Madrid’s 2-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday.
Not only did Abe post a photo of himself in the stands, though, he also shared a shot while posing with a signed Vinicius Jnr shirt – alongside the Brazilian himself – and the piece de resistance; a pitchside snap with Alexander-Arnold and his brother, who also happens to be, you guessed it, Abe’s agent.
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Can Liverpool still keep Abe?
After poaching the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ben Gannon Doak and Ngumoha for nominal fees as very young players, Liverpool have been excellent at doing what Madrid now look to be trying with Abe.
As a result, when the shoe is on the other foot, maybe the Reds will just accept this for what it is.
However, Abe leaving should not be considered an inevitability, despite the ominous signs being displayed.
He is still a Liverpool player until next summer at least, and the Reds are reportedly trying to convince him that Anfield is the best place for his development.
This one is certainly not over, but with Alexander-Arnold and his brother now involved, Liverpool fans are right to be getting that sinking feeling.
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