Rio Ngumoha has played down speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, insisting negotiations over a new contract at Liverpool are ‘going well’.
The 18-year-old winger made his senior debut for Liverpool in January 2025, aged 16, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player to feature in the FA Cup during a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley. He has since established himself as a first-team regular at Anfield and is considered one of the most exciting young talents in English football.
This season, Ngumoha has featured in five of Liverpool’s opening seven league matches under Andoni Iraola, while also starting the side’s three cup games against Atletico Madrid, LASK and Tottenham.
Arsenal interest and contract talks
Despite his progress, speculation over Ngumoha’s future has continued, with Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig reportedly monitoring the teenager’s situation over the summer. Liverpool blocked a potential departure ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, but Arsenal have now emerged as another possible destination.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein last month claimed the England international was well ‘liked’ at the Emirates, with the Gunners searching for attacking reinforcements. However, speaking after Liverpool’s comeback victory over Brentford, Ngumoha suggested a move away from Merseyside had not entered his thinking.
‘To be fair, that is all with my agent now,’ he told reporters when asked about his future shortly after the final whistle at the Gtech Community Stadium. ‘I think it is all going well. I am not too sure. I just let my football do the talking at the end of the day.
‘I enjoy playing, and all of that stuff is in the back of my mind really. I just play for the club, and hopefully I can carry on doing well.’
Position change and England experience
The summer arrival of Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, along with the departure of Mohamed Salah, has seen Ngumoha switch from the left to the right flank for much of this season.
‘I am enjoying the challenge and to be able to play off both sides is important,’ Ngumoha said of the change. ‘Do I have a favourite position? No, not anymore. I am getting to grips with the right wing now, and I am liking it. It gives me a bit more unpredictability. I have been working hard on the training pitch.’
Ngumoha also benefited from picking the brains of Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka after being included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for England’s recent Nations League contests.
‘I went away with England, and I was playing on the right, so I learned a lot there as well,’ the youngster said of the experience. ‘Watching the likes of Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. I took on board some of the stuff they told me, and it’s really helpful.
‘Andoni wants me to take on players in one-vs-one duels. He wants me to be threatening. Off the ball, he wants me to help the team however I can. I am enjoying working with him and enjoying improving.
‘Whether I start or come off the bench, I have the same mentality. I know the club are just trying to look after me. We have some of the best attackers in the world, so competing for places is not easy.
‘It is all about healthy competition and we all just want to make the team win at the end of the day. So whatever minutes we get, we can’t be sulking, we just have to go out and show what we can do.’
Ngumoha’s current contract with Liverpool is not due to expire until June 2028.
