Dominic Solanke to Reportedly Sign for Liverpool After Deciding to Leave Chelsea

Liverpool are reportedly poised to sign Dominic Solanke from Chelsea in a deal that will cost the Reds around £3 million.

According to Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph, the Anfield outfit will make the 19-year-old their first signing of the summer. Solanke's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire this summer, although Liverpool will reportedly have to pay the estimated fee—to be determined by a tribunal—due to his age.

"Liverpool believe they have beaten Celtic and Red Bull Leipzig to secure Solanke's signature," Bascombe added.

Solanke will reportedly pick up a weekly wage of £20,000 at Liverpool.

It's added that Reds manager Jurgen Klopp doesn't intend on thrusting the teenager straight into the first team at Anfield. The German is said to be keen for the forward to link up with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn in the under-23 squad.

John Gibbons of The Anfield Wrap can see the Reds sending the striker out on loan next season:

It's suggested that Solanke declined to sign a new deal with Chelsea due to concerns he wouldn't receive first-team chances.

Indeed, the forward has been banging on the door for a while now. The Blues have excelled in their academy development, and Solanke has been exceptional at the point of the attack for various teams in the youth system. 

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However, he's found chances in the senior setup tough to come by, making just one substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League in the 2014-15 season; he was sent out to Vitesse Arnhem on loan the following year.

Although the deal won't be the most glamorous acquisition made by the Reds this summer, it's a fascinating one nonetheless. Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times can see why Klopp is keen to add Solanke:

Sports journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor understands why the youngster moved away from Chelsea, although he doesn't foresee him having much more success at Anfield:

Solanke evidently has a lot of talent. He is composed in front of goal, physically strong and has operated in different positions to great effect throughout his time with the Blues and the England youth setup. They are attributes Klopp will feel he can harness in a positive way.

At this stage of his career, Solanke needs to be playing regular football, and it seems as though he'll be given the chance to do so in the under-23 team. Provided he impresses, it should be easier to bridge the gap to the first team with Liverpool than it would be with the champions.