Rio Ngumoha has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Liverpool, and the Reds are now reportedly “very keen” to give him a new deal to fend off any interest in him.
The 17-year-old is an incredible talent, proving to be a rare positive at Anfield last season, lighting up matches with his quick feet and unpredictability.
Ngumoha has even made his England debut at senior level, while Bayern Munich have shown strong interest in signing him, only for their efforts to be rebuffed by Liverpool.
Now, speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that a contract extension is at the forefront of the Reds’ thinking currently:
“Obviously Liverpool are not planning to lose Rio Ngumoha any time soon. He’s seen as a huge star for the future for the Anfield club. He’s under contract until 2028, but I think Liverpool’s officials will be very keen to sit down with Ngumoha’s representatives and try and thrash out a new deal when he turns 18 in a few months.
“Liverpool are obviously unhappy with this suggestion that Bayern Munich have agreed personal terms with the player to try and get a deal done.”
New deal for Rio Ngumoha a no-brainer for Liverpool
Ngumoha has the ability to be a future great at Liverpool, so a new deal for him should be high up on their list of priorities this summer.
The teenager winger can reach whatever level he wants to, as long as he stays focused and injury-free, with Everton man Jordan Pickford lauding him recently after watching him on England duty:
“He was quality, nothing fazed him. He’s had a really good season at Liverpool and the manager gave him his debut and he showed how good he is. All the young lads have been brilliant in training, they have moulded into the squad and helped us massively and it also shows the talent we have in the system.”
Liverpool losing Ngumoha at this stage in his career would be disastrous, and having seen other key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate join Real Madrid recently, a similar situation has to be avoided here.
The Englishman is still so young and has to be managed carefully by Andoni Iraola – he shouldn’t yet be a regular starter – but he is a massive part of the future at Anfield, and a contract extension is a must.
