CORNERFLICK
Liverpool are working on a new contract for Rio Ngumoha, with Sky Sports saying the club want to tie down the 18-year-old winger after his breakout year.
Contract talks gather pace
Ngumoha said after Liverpool's 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend that his agent is handling the discussions. He added that things are going well, and that he is leaving his performances on the pitch to do the talking.
The winger joined Liverpool from Chelsea's academy in 2024. Liverpool Echo reported that the club pushed hard to sign him and had to overcome several administrative hurdles before bringing him in.
Ngumoha made his senior debut at 16, has now played 38 times for Liverpool and has one goal and two assists. He has also won three England caps.
This season he has featured in eight of Liverpool's 10 matches and started four of them.
Interest from elsewhere
Ngumoha's current deal runs until June 2028, but he became eligible for a longer contract with a much higher salary after turning 18 in late August. That has opened the door to talks, while interest from other clubs adds another layer.
Sky Sports said Bayern Munich were interested in the summer and that Ngumoha had been unhappy with his game time, with reports claiming an oral agreement was in place. Liverpool were said to be surprised because he had not raised any concerns with the club and they refused to sell him.
Arsenal were also linked with the forward in the autumn. There is optimism at Anfield that he will stay longer, and a new deal would be an early win for sporting director Richard Hughes.