Andoni Iraola greets Roberto De Zerbi before kick-off
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool believe they have a ‘future world-beater’ on their hands at Anfield and are determined to fend off prospective suitors by rewarding him with a new long-term contract.
Rio Ngumoha has been the subject of reported interest from Arsenal in recent days, with both Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein appearing to endorse rumours from elsewhere that he’s on the Gunners’ radar.
The Reds reportedly have an agreement ‘in principle’ regarding a prospective new deal for the 18-year-old (Graeme Bailey), although there hasn’t been any formal announcement from the club in that regard.
Liverpool determined to keep hold of Ngumoha
In his latest Liverpool Confidential feature for the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele outlined Liverpool’s current stance on the teenage winger and also indicated the player’s thoughts on his situation.
The Merseyside club have no intention of entertaining any offers for Ngumoha, who they view as ‘a future world-beater’ and whose contract they are ‘extremely keen’ to extend.
While the 18-year-old is understood to be aware of interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich, he’s happy with the Reds and is ‘enjoying life at Anfield’.
Liverpool intend to reward him with plenty of game-time this season, albeit with the caveat of trying not to ‘push too much, too soon’ given his tender age.
Liverpool believe that Rio Ngumoha can go on to become a 'future world-beater
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Liverpool should feel confident of keeping Ngumoha
Kopites are used to seeing prodigious young talents coming through the academy ranks into the first team, but few have had an impct quite as explosive as Ngumoha’s.
Ever since that dramatic stoppage-time winner at Newcastle on his Premier League debut 13 months ago, the teenager has looked so comfortable at top-flight level, frequently displaying a marvellous confidence in taking on (and beating) opposition defenders.
The intense competition for wide attacking berths at Liverpool could restrict the number of starts he makes, but with the Reds fighting on multiple fronts and Andoni Iraola known to favour plentiful rotation of his wingers, the 18-year-old should still receive a good chunk of minutes.
A talent like Ngumoha isn’t one to be jettisoned easily, and with the youngster understood to be quite happy on Merseyside, LFC chiefs ought to feel confident of securing his long-term future with a bumper new contract.
If he can go on to justify that ‘future world-beater’ billing, the thought of what he might achieve in his career is incredibly exciting!