Arsenal and Bayern circle as Liverpool hit with worrying Rio Ngumoha contract update

Liverpool’s new sporting director Julian Ward has got several contract problems to solve early in his tenure.

Experienced duo Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk are currently due to depart the club at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen whether the 2024/25 Premier League champions offer Alisson or Van Dijk a new deal - although right now fans would surely favour seeing them in the lineup for one more year at least.

Ngumoha needs a new Liverpool deal and fast

At the other end of the spectrum is Rio Ngumoha. Having recently turned 18 it was expected that the England winger’s new contract would be a formality.

Liverpool were restricted in how long they could tie down Ngumoha when they offered him his first professional deal last year aged 17.

That meant the club would need to renegotiate terms with the former Chelsea youth in order to solidify their union with the electrifying attacker.

Having put the word out that talks were underway with former sporting director Richard Hughes it was taken as a given that negotiations would be swiftly wrapped up.

But with Liverpool having faced down transfer interest from Bayern Munich there are now links with Premier League champions Arsenal and no sign as yet that a deal will be completed.

According to a report in the Liverpool Echo talks are still taking place with Ngumoha’s people - and it’s an issue which Julian Ward will want sorted as a priority.

No agreement yet with Ngumoha

“Discussions with Rio Ngumoha's representatives are ongoing as Liverpool aim to tie down the 18-year-old to a new deal after his milestone birthday in late August,” the report reads.

“Ngumoha signed his first professional contract after turning 17, with the general plan in place to improve the terms and the length when he turned 18.

“Many had expected that to be a formality after his most recent birthday on August 29 but over a month later, there has been no public confirmation from Liverpool about a new contract for the teenage winger.

“Bayern Munich were tentatively interested in the summer and there has even been curious speculation regarding admiration from Arsenal, but Liverpool remain determined to tie down Ngumoha to a deal commensurate with his progress over the past 12 months and his current standing in the squad at Anfield.

“It's an issue Ward won't want to let drag on for longer than is necessary.”

Arsenal and Bayern Munich circle for Ngumoha

Ngumoha has recently made the decisive step up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad but has been restricted to precious few minutes under Andoni Iraola this season - and not always on his favoured left-wing position either.

As things stand he is due to leave the club once his current deal expires in 2028 - handing the young forward the initiative in talks.

He will of course be demanding a first-team star’s salary - even at this early stage of his career - and right now there is no clarity on when - or if - Liverpool will meet his terms.