Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha was linked with a bizarre transfer to Bayern Munich earlier this month, but the Reds are adamant that the teenage wonderkid will be going nowhere
17:36, 26 Jun 2026Updated 17:43, 26 Jun 2026
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 06: Rio Ngumoha #31 of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium on June 06, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha has been linked with Bayern Munich in what would be a bizarre move(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool was left baffled by Bayern Munich's decision to approach the club over a possible transfer for teenage wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, with the winger not expected to leave the club this summer.
The winger played a bit-part role under Arne Slot last season having broken into the team, only making nine starts in all competitions. Reports have suggested the 17-year-old was upset with Slot for not giving him more game time, and it was claimed he had held talks with the German side over a potential future move.
However, according to The Athletic, Liverpool's approach is that the club has treated Ngumoha the appropriate way, giving him game time slowly rather than throwing him in at the deep end in order to prepare him physically and mentally to be a starter.
Liverpool maintains the winger is not for sale, with Ngumoha expected to play more of a role under new head coach Andoni Iraola next season.
The winger announced himself to the Premier League with his first goal for the club against Newcastle back at the start of the season, and his cameo appearances throughout the Reds' disappointing campaign had fans begging for more.
At home to Chelsea back in May, Ngumoha was taken off with 20 minutes left to play and the game tied at 1-1, with fans booing the decision.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield, Liverpool, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich but Liverpool have not intention of selling(Image: Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ngumoha is set to turn 18 in August, and Liverpool is reportedly eager to sign him to a new long-term contract to fend off any other interested teams.
It's also important to note that for players in the Premier League under the age of 17 during the 2025-26 season, Ngumoha had more than anyone. He played 551 Premier League minutes, eclipsing the 153 played by Max Dowman.
Ngumoha's impact in the Premier League earned him a call-up to be a part of the training squad for Thomas Tuchel's England team at the World Cup, and the teenager earned the Man of the Match award on his international debut.
After his impressive performance against New Zealand, Ngumoha spoke about his pride at being able to represent his country for the first time. He said: "I'll say it was a crazy feeling.
"I was happy, I was buzzing. I knew from when we had the meeting before that it was a first-half team and a second-half team, so I was preparing.
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"It's good that I didn't have much time to think about it, but I wasn't too nervous, to be fair. I just wanted to play and just show everyone what I could do. And yeah, I just had fun."