Liverpool race to seal Ngumoha deal before Arsenal intervene

Liverpool plan to tie down 18‑year‑old England winger Rio Ngumoha to a new contract at Anfield in the coming weeks, after a reliable source said Arsenal have shown interest in the teenager.

TEAMtalk transfer insider Graeme Bailey reported on June that Liverpool were already planning to hand Ngumoha a fresh deal. At the same time Bayern Munich were linked with the left‑winger, but Liverpool dismissed any suggestion he could leave Anfield in the summer window.

On 3 September Bailey confirmed the clubs had reached an agreement in principle. “We understand the deal has been agreed in principle and discussions are now moving towards the player formally signing the contract, with Liverpool hopeful of announcing the agreement in the coming weeks,” he wrote, adding that only finer details remained to be ironed out.

Arsenal’s renewed interest

Since then, Arsenal’s interest has emerged, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano among those reporting the Gunners’ attention. Dean Jones, writing for FlashScore, said Liverpool are “confident they will agree a new contract” with Ngumoha despite fresh interest from Arsenal.

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Jones noted that Arsenal have not yet made a formal approach but are watching the Reds’ teenager from afar. He added that the Premier League champions have previously tried to sign specialist left‑wingers such as Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior, and that Arsenal remain willing to consider additions in January.

Reds aim to secure the future

Liverpool’s preference is to finalise the agreement within the next month, aiming to put to bed any speculation of an Anfield exit. Lewis Steele reported that Ngumoha, who signed a three‑year professional contract on 25 September last year, is happy at Liverpool and not itching to swap Anfield for the Emirates Stadium.

Sources close to the club said there is no update on a new contract just yet, but Ngumoha is enjoying life at Anfield. The Reds are keen to reward him for his meteoric rise over the last 12 months and to ensure he is tied down before he becomes a realistic option for the Gunners.