Rio Ngumoha was approached by Bayern Munich earlier this summer, with Liverpool “incensed” by their efforts to sign a player they deem untouchable.
Reports emerged this month that Bayern considered Ngumoha their leading target as they look to strengthen on the left wing this summer.
The Bundesliga champions had made the 17-year-old aware of their interest, with Sky Germany‘s Florian Plettenberg going so far as to claim a verbal agreement had been reached.
Liverpool have maintained throughout that Ngumoha is not for sale, though BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel went on to claim that there was “dissatisfaction over his level of game time” under Arne Slot last season.
But Liverpool journalist David Lynch reports on his Substack that claims of an agreement were “entirely false,” as were suggestions he had been unhappy with his role.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha is greeted by head coach Arne Slot (L) as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Senior Anfield figures were known to be incensed by a story they felt amounted to little more than tapping up from a European rival,” Lynch added.
Liverpool see Ngumoha as “the present and future of the club” and the expectation is that he will be handed a new long-term contract when he turns 18 in August, with his first professional deal only running to 2028.
A change in the dugout this summer is not set to affect the teenager’s chances of a prominent role in the attack, despite the imminent £34.5 million signing of Victor Munoz.
Andoni Iraola is almost certain to relish working with Ngumoha, as was the case with Slot, who Lynch reports made contact with the winger after his England debut.
Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze has further reported on X that RB Leipzig also hold an interest in the No. 73, but already view a deal as “not feasible” due to the “package, ambitions [and] competition.”
Clearly there is a discord in how Ngumoha is seen in Germany as Liverpool have made it known that the former Chelsea youngster is strictly off limits.
Liverpool are set to announce the signing of Munoz from Osasuna in due course, while there are ongoing efforts to agree a deal with Leipzig for Yan Diomande.
The likelihood is that, if both Diomande and Munoz are signed, the focus will then turn to strengthening in other areas, as any further addition would block the pathway carefully laid out for Ngumoha.