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The compensation battle between Liverpool and Chelsea for Rio Ngumoha is set to drag on for months.
The two Premier League teams have been unable to reach an agreement following the teenager's transfer last year, with a tribunal now not expected until the end of the year. It was initially thought that the matter could be settled by the end of September.
However, according to The Times, a tribunal will not convene until late November or possibly even December. Ngumoha inked a professional contract with Liverpool after celebrating his 17th birthday in August, but only made his way to Merseyside in September 2024, having risen through the ranks at Chelsea.
The young winger, who has already made five senior appearances for Liverpool, had been with the Blues since he was eight years old before deciding against signing scholarship terms at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is due a compensation payment for its role in his development.
After the rivals couldn't agree on a fee, the amount the London club is entitled to will be determined by the Professional Football Compensation Committee.
Each club will be represented by a KC, with parties able to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
Asimilar tribunal was necessary when Harvey Elliott transferred from Fulham to Liverpool, which resulted in the west London club receiving a £1.5 million ($2 million) fee, with up to £2.8 million ($3.75 million) in additional payments contingent on Elliott's accomplishments.
Ngumoha has already made a significant impact this season, netting the decisive goal in the Premier League match against Newcastle. The winger scored a late goal after being brought on as a substitute for the Reds.
Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, believes Ngumoha is in the ideal environment to continue his development. The Dutch coach thinks the young player will thrive amid the competition he faces.
"The good thing is if you are a youngster playing at Liverpool, there are players you are playing with who are still better than you are," Slot said on Friday. "That I think helps to stay grounded and to know there are still steps to make.
"If you are playing at maybe a club of a lower level and you are as good as Rio, you maybe belong straight away to the best players of the team and that can lead to maybe a situation where he's not as grounded as he should be.
"But here that's not a problem at all. First of all, because of who he is – he's a player that constantly wants to improve.
"But if you train and play with other wingers like Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah, Federico Chiesa and all the others, then I think he feels there's still a step to make.
"First of all to get to their level and if he is at their level then it's about being as consistent as these players are. That is the most difficult thing. To become really good is something a lot of players maybe can do, but to become consistently really good is why the top players stand out."
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