Liverpool’s compensation amount revealed after losing case to Chelsea over poaching Rio Nkumuha, with potential additional payments if he excels further.
On 6 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) ruled that Liverpool must pay Chelsea compensation for acquiring 17-year-old prospect Rio Nkumuha from Chelsea’s academy. The initial compensation was set at £2.8 million, with potential bonuses up to £4 million depending on performance, bringing the total possible amount to £6.8 million.
Reports indicate that this figure is a final decision from the investigation process and cannot be renegotiated. Additional bonuses will depend on factors such as first-team appearances, international call-ups, or future contract conditions.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that Chelsea will receive 20% of any profit if Liverpool sells the player in the future, which could be highly valuable should Nkumuha develop according to his potential.
Regarding his performance, Nkumuha, who has represented England at youth levels, adapted quickly to Liverpool’s first team, making approximately 14 appearances and scoring crucial goals, including a stoppage-time winner against Newcastle.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp praised Nkumuha as a special talent, noting it is unusual for a 17-year-old to play so many Premier League matches. He commended Nkumuha’s one-on-one skills, speed, and ability to change the game’s tempo.
This case is similar to when Liverpool acquired Harvey Elliott from Fulham in 2019 after the clubs failed to agree on a transfer fee. The committee eventually ordered Liverpool to pay Fulham £4.3 million (around 189 million baht), which was the highest amount ever paid for an academy-level player.