Arsenal are interested in Liverpool's exciting young forward Rio Ngumoha.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool during the Premier League match against Fulham
Rio Ngumoha has played in five of Liverpool's six matches so far this season (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool have made their position crystal clear - Rio Ngumoha is not for sale. The club are moving to secure the talented youngster's long-term future with a new contract in the coming months. The 18-year-old has attracted significant attention from a string of top clubs over the past year, with Bayern Munich amongst those circling during the summer transfer window. Arsenal are now the latest club keen.
Such interest stems from a breakthrough campaign in which the forward established himself as a regular option for Liverpool's previous manager Arne Slot, netting a couple of goals and delivering performances that hint at enormous potential. Ngumoha's form has carried into the current season under Andoni Iraola with equal promise. Despite not yet scoring, Iraola has deployed him on the right flank as he looks to hand the teenager minutes.
The youngster's growing stature within the squad has inevitably triggered discussions over a fresh contract, particularly with his existing deal expiring in 2028.
Having recently celebrated his 18th birthday, Ngumoha is now eligible to put pen to paper on a long-term agreement with Liverpool unrestricted by rules governing contract length for younger players, meaning he can fully commit his future to Anfield.
With rival clubs continuing to circle, securing a new deal is firmly in the Reds' best interests, and The Athletic reports that the matter is already very much on the club's agenda.
They report that while Arsenal are admirers of Ngumoha, Liverpool have no plans to sell such a precocious talent, especially to a major rival.
Instead, the 20-time champions have plans to extend the winger's deal well beyond 2028 although an agreement has not yet been reached, henche the speculation.
Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool gestures during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal are admirers of Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha (Image: Getty Images)
It is evident that while Arsenal harbour ambitions of securing a transfer, Liverpool have no intention of entertaining any approaches, particularly given the ample time remaining to negotiate a contract extension with Ngumoha.
This echoes previous interest from Bayern Munich, with reports suggesting the young English starlet was high on their list of targets, yet any prospect of a departure from Anfield proved firmly out of the question during the summer window.
Liverpool's desire to tie Ngumoha down to a fresh deal may prove challenging without a dedicated sporting director following Richard Hughes' departure. Nevertheless, with the operation remaining in-house, David Woodfine, Hughes' former assistant at Anfield, could step up to assume responsibility.
There remains considerable ground to cover before this saga reaches its conclusion, but for the time being, Liverpool hold all the cards as they look to persuade Ngumoha that the club remains the ideal environment for his continued development.