Liverpool face tapping-up row over Dominic Solanke transfer
According to reports, Liverpool could face another tapping-up row just one week after their embarrassing botched attempts at signing Southampton star Virgil van Dijk.
The 19-year-old rejected the chance to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge and agreed to sign for the Reds on a free transfer once his contract expires at Chelsea on July 1. Solanke will likely begin life at Liverpool in the Under-23s set-up when he officially joins.
Premier League rules state that out-of-contract players can talk to domestic clubs after the third week in May. It has been suggested a deal for Solanke to move to Anfield was already in place in February.
Liverpool announced that personal terms had been agreed with the striker on May 30th. But the timeline of the transfer could be called into question as it may have potentially breached rules over out-of-contract players. It is reported that both Chelsea and Liverpool have declined to comment on this matter.
The transfer fee will be determined by a tribunal because Solanke is a development player, but Liverpool expect to pay around £3million.
New-boy Dominic Solanke wins Golden Ball at Under-20 World Cup
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Freddie Woodman grabbed the headlines as England beat Venezuela in the Under-20 World Cup final in South Korea.
Everton striker Calvert-Lewin scored the game’s only goal after 35 minutes. While Newcastle goalkeeper Woodman made a second-half penalty save to preserve England’s 1-0 lead and ensured they became world champions and their first FIFA-recognised trophy collected since 1966.
But it was Solanke who netted four goals for Paul Simpson’s side, including the match winner in a quarter-final clash with Mexico and a brace in a semi-final victory over Italy, who claimed the Golden Ball for being the player of the tournament. The likes of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Luis Figo, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba have all previously won the award.
Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, whose penalty save in the final saw the Young Lions hang on to their lead, won the Golden Glove award. The clean sheet in the final surely helped. In the other playoff match, Italy ensured they enjoyed their best-ever finish at a U20 World Cup when the claimed third place after winning the penalty shoot-out against Uruguay. Their star man was Juventus forward Riccardo Osolini, who netted five times across the competition pick up the Golden Boot award.