Liverpool set to sign Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke

The 19-year-old is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer, and the ECHO understands that the Reds have beaten off interest from a host of clubs to bring the highly-rated frontman to Anfield.

Identified as one for the future by Jurgen Klopp, Solanke will join the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria, Sheyi Ojo and Harry Wilson to form the basis of a strong U23s side, which will compete in the Premier League 2 and cup competitions next season while simultaneously pushing for a first-team place.

Liverpool expect to pay around £3m for Solanke, with the fee to be determined by a Premier League tribunal as the player is under 24 years of age. He is expected to earn wages of less than £20,000 a week, in line with the club's policy on young players.

Liverpool remain keen to add a number of 'established' players to strengthen their first-team ranks this season, with Naby Keita and Virgil Van Dijk still at the top of their list of targets, but believe the opportunity to land a top English prospect at a decent price represents smart business.

Born in Reading, Solanke has been with Chelsea since the age of seven, emerging as one of the Londoners' brightest talents along the way.

He was a member of the FA Youth Cup winning teams of 2014 and 2015, also helping them win the UEFA Youth League in 2015.

He was top scorer in that campaign, as he was when helping England win the European U17 Championship in Malta in 2014. There, he played alongside Reds defender Joe Gomez among others, scoring in the final against the Netherlands.

A senior debut for Chelsea came against Maribor in October 2014, with Solanke becoming the club's youngest ever Champions League player in the process, but he was then loaned out to feeder club Vitesse Arnhem for the 2015-16 season.

He scored seven times in 25 Eredivisie appearances there, but has been unable to find a first-team opportunity under Antonio Conte and is now set for Merseyside.

Celtic were interested in signing the teenager as a replacement for Moussa Dembele, who is expected to leave this summer.

RB Leipzig, who finished second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, were also keen, while a number of Premier League clubs expressed an interest.

Solanke is currently away with England at the U20 World Cup in South Korea. Having scored in the Group A opener against Argentina earlier this month, and captained the team in their last match against the host nation last Friday, he is expected lead the line for Paul Simpson's side in their last 16 clash with Costa Rica in Jeonju on Wednesday.

He has represented England at every level up to an including U21s, where he has won three caps.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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