Chelsea are set to lose one of their young talents in the summer as Dominic Solanke is understood to be keen on a move to Liverpool, according to the Sun. 

The England under-21 international’s current contract – worth £7,000 per week – runs down at the end of the campaign but he has opted not to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge as he demands a significant rise to £50,000-a-week. Apart from that, he is also yearning to reap up first-team playing minutes.

Dominic Solanke on his way to Liverpool from Chelsea in the summer. Told Chelsea youth staff are split on his potential.

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) February 17, 2017

The similar source adds that Solanke has already informed his teammates that he will leave the London club and join the red half of Merseyside.

In fact, former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wanted to add the 19-year-old to his attacking ranks at Celtic but the attacker repelled the approach from the Scottish giants. He has made up his mind that being a part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad would establish himself as a key player in England’s top flight.

Solanke came through the ranks of The Blues’ youth setup and got his first-team debut in the Champions League triumph over NK Maribor in October 2014. His name was on every Chelsea fans’ lips following the match as he became the youngest player in the club’s history to make an introduction in the competition. In between 2013 and 2015, Solanke has bagged 61 goals for the Chelsea youth team.

However, chances to break into the first-team was slammed shut and he spent the last term on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, racking up 7 goals and contributing a single assist out of 25 league appearances.

He was also a popular figure at all youth team levels for his country and was even called to train with the senior squad by former head coach Roy Hodgson when he was in charge of the Three Lions.

But it is not enough to convince Antonio Conte. Diego Costa has completely made the first-team striker slot his while his deputy Michy Batshuayi has barely had a sniff to even compete with the Spaniard. Solanke has the ability to play across the attacking trident too but Eden Hazard and Pedro have been impressing week in week out for Conte. In short, the squad is well-oiled and any sort of unnecessary changes is close to a crime.

And following the rumour that broke out a couple of days ago, Antonio Conte has gone on to confirm that Solanke will leave the Blues and has wished him luck. Quoted by the Sun, Conte said:

“I think (he will leave), I am not sure, but I think this is his will”.

“I don’t know, I should have a crystal ball to tell his future, I wish for him and his family the best.”

Klopp’s willingness to promote young, homegrown players is well-known since he took charge at Anfield. The last time The Reds signed a forward from Chelsea, it turned out to be a bumper hit as Daniel Sturridge hit the ground running at once. At present, series of injuries and a dip in form has seen him fallen down the pecking order and is highly likely to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.

Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle United are keeping tabs on his situation but the only hiccup seems to be his wage demand.

Do you think Dominic Solanke will be a good addition to Liverpool in summer?