EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea's INSANE offer beats Liverpool to €22m transfer

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool have lost out to Chelsea in a transfer race due to an insane offer being made to the player.

It's not the first time the Blues have been to the Reds in the pursuit of a midfielder and once again the main factor was financial.

READ MORE: Liverpool Transfer News: Alvarez one step CLOSER as star's head is turned

Liverpool of course lost out to Chelsea in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo during the hectic summer of 2023. That same summer, Chelsea also brought in Romeo Lavia, despite him attracting the attention of the Reds as well.

It was a double blow for Liverpool but in the end they had the last lough signing Ryan Gravenberch towards the final stages of the window who has gone onto flourish under Arne Slot.

But Liverpool's midfield is not complete just yet. Gravenberch has been overused and it's abundantly obvious Liverpool need a back-up option Slot can use behind him.

READ MORE: Why Liverpool will SHATTER their transfer record for Julian Alvarez

That is why the club pursued a deal for an exciting young midfielder this month.

Why Chelsea beat Liverpool in race to sign Dario Essugo

One of the most promising young midfielders in Europe's top five leagues at the moment is Dario Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas from Sporting CP.

The 20-year-old midfielder is proving to be a gem after being regarded as one of the best young talents to emerge from Sporting CP's academy in recent years.

Essugo became the youngest Sporting CP player of all time when he made his debut at 16 years and 6 days old. 262 days later he also became the youngest Portuguese player to make an appearance in the Champions League.

But despite making those early landmarks, Essugo never really managed to break into the first team at Sporting CP due to the amount of established first team stars ahead of him in the pecking order.

That is what necessitated a loan move for him this season and at Las Palmas he is proving just why he is so highly rated.

A brilliant defensive player he has an abundance of energy and ranks highly in key defensive metrics averaging 4.85 tackles and interceptions per 90.

Anfield Watch understands, Liverpool scouts have been huge admirers of his performances this season and pursued a deal for the young midfielder.

Negotiations for a €22m transfer fee was no obstacle for the Reds who viewed Essugo as the ideal understudy to Gravenberch.

However, when Chelsea entered the race, it was all over for Liverpool.

Liverpool offered €50k per week to Essugo and were prepared to sign a five year contract to secure his services.

Chelsea then put an insane offer on the table giving a six-year contract to Essugo worth €100k per week.

Understandably, the Portuguese star could not refuse those terms and has thus agreed a move to Chelsea this summer.

READ MORE: It's all over for Diogo Jota as Arne Slot's reaction in Carabao Cup final says EVERYTHING

Meanwhile, Liverpool's search for a holding midfielder continues.

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool line up club record bid for Julian Alvarez