Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha has been linked with an exit once again, as Arsenal is the latest team to be eyeing a possible move, while contract uncertainty remains
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool gestures during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur
Rio Ngumoha has been linked with an exit from Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))
Liverpool has set a clear stance of no sale for Rio Ngumoha, as the club looks to extend the star's contract in the coming months to secure his long-term future.
The 18-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs in the past year, with Bayern Munich showing interest during the summer, while Arsenal is the latest club to be linked with a possible move.
That will have come from his breakout campaign, after the forward made himself a regular part of the senior squad last season at Liverpool, scoring a couple of goals along the way, with some performances that suggest there is plenty of promise there.
Ngumoha's start to this season has been equally promising, even though he is yet to score, with Andoni Iraola switching him to the right flank with a few more starts to his name.
The youngster's growing influence and importance have naturally led to talks about a new contract, with his current deal only running until 2028.
Since Ngumoha recently turned 18, he can now sign a long-term contract with Liverpool that isn't bound to rules surrounding the length of the deal, meaning he can now commit his future to the club.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool during the Premier League match against Fulham
Rio Ngumoha has featured in four of Liverpool's five matches so far this season(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
With interest from elsewhere, it's clear that a new deal would be in the Reds' best interest, and The Athletic reports that it is already in the team's thoughts.
“I think there is some interest from Arsenal in Rio Ngumoha," David Ornstein said in the report. "There’s surely interest from lots of clubs in him, because he’s such a precocious talent. I did hear over the summer that they like him. They’re allowed to like him; that’s their prerogative. It doesn’t mean Liverpool are going to sell him.
“They want to renew his contract. He’s 18 and tied down at Anfield until 2028. I don’t know of an agreement yet on a new deal, so clearly that’s something they’ll try to progress. When you’ve only got two years to go, then it can be open to speculation."
It's clear that while Arsenal is keen on a transfer, Liverpool won't entertain the thought, especially while there is plenty of time to agree a contract extension with Ngumoha.
It mirrors the previous interest from Bayern Munich, as reports emerged that the English talent was a top target, but the notion of any exit from Anfield became clearly impossible during the summer.
The task for Liverpool now will be to seal a contract extension for Ngumoha, which could be tough without a dedicated sporting director following an exit for Richard Hughes. However, with it being a club operation, the likes of David Woodfine, Hughes' assistant at Anfield, could take charge instead.
There's still a long way to go until the saga is over, but for now, all of the cards are in Liverpool's hands to try and convince Ngumoha that he is in the right place to develop and grow.