Liverpool have reportedly issued a hands-off warning to Arsenal and other clubs interested in signing Rio Ngumoha. Bayern Munich were linked with a move during the summer transfer window, and now the Gunners have emerged as a club that wants to sign the exciting winger.
Ngumoha's Liverpool career so far
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea in 2024 and signed a three-year professional contract 12 months ago. He has made 35 appearances for Liverpool's senior team, with Andoni Iraola continuing to give him more minutes this season.
The 18-year-old started Tuesday's Carabao Cup third round win over Tottenham, but Arsenal are keeping a close eye on whether his minutes decrease following the arrivals of Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, according to The Daily Mail.
Liverpool's stance on a potential sale
However, it has been claimed that Liverpool have no plans to entertain any offers and remain keen on agreeing a new contract with the teenager. Interest from Arsenal is understood to be genuine, but a deal is not advanced.
He has two years left on his current deal and Liverpool want to keep him beyond that as there is a belief he can become a 'world-beater'. Ngumoha is believed to know of the interest from elsewhere, but he is enjoying life and is therefore happy at Liverpool. There is also no current update on contract talks between the two parties.
Ngumoha's game time and Champions League start
Arsenal's hope that Ngumoha will become restless appears far-fetched as the winger has already been deployed from the off in four games this season, which means he is nearly halfway to the nine starts he managed last season.
One of those was the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, with Ngumoha speaking fondly of the experience and the trust placed in him by Iraola.
“It was crazy,” Ngumoha told the club’s website. “In the morning when I knew when the gaffer put out the team, I saw my name there. I was like, 'Yeah, today's going to be a good day!'”
“A first start in the Champions League, especially at Anfield and against a good side. To get the three points and just hear the fans, like I said the other day, Anfield was roaring, I couldn't ask for much more.”
“Like I said, the gaffer, [for him] to put faith in me and to show me that he believes in my abilities and qualities to help the team get a win is really positive. I couldn't ask for much more.”
Ngumoha started on his favoured left side in that game, but has been needed on the other flank a few times already, with all of Barcola, Munoz and Cody Gakpo preferring to play on that side. The latter can play as the striker, while Munoz has performed admirably when on the right with his tireless work ethic, earning praise. He also scored his first Liverpool goal when on that side, with a superb strike against Nottingham Forest.
The four have shared minutes so far with Ngumoha set for a considerable amount of game time, given the competitions Liverpool are in this season.
