Liverpool have completed their first signing of the summer, with 16-year-old Alvin Ayman joining from Wolves for £2million.
Arne Slot's Reds were the only English top-flight side yet to make a signing in the summer window.
While they are yet to sign a first-team player with the window closing at the end of next week, the Reds have at least bolstered in their youth ranks with the addition of Ayman.
The versatile youngster was expected to make the swap to Merseyside for a number of months, with the Reds reportedly beginning their pursuit of the player as far back as last June. Ayman was a regular for Wolves U18s last season at the tender age of 15. He also made his debut for the U21s.
However, despite an agreement in place between Liverpool and Ayman and his family, negotiations remained ongoing between the clubs and the Premier League ’s five-step review.
But with the review cleared and negotiations hashed out, the move has now been given the green light with Wolves set to recoup £2million in compensation.
Amid the protracted contract negotiations and top-flight review, Ayman was not permitted to train and play with his new team-mates.
But with his transfer officially ratified he will be able to start work properly at the AXA Training Centre.
Despite the excitement around the player, it is said to be unlikely Liverpool will officially announce the signing. Ayman is expected to progress swiftly through Liverpool’s age-grades. While he will start with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s U18s, there is reportedly an understanding he will swiftly be fast-tracked to the under-21s under Barry Lewtas.
That was the case for both Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo last season, with Ayman expected to follow the trend of elite-potential signings at Liverpool.
Ayman is set to be joined by another teenage arrival in winger Rio Ngumoha. The 16-year-old is due to make the switch from Chelsea in the coming days.