What Liverpool expect Rio Ngumoha to do now after interest from Arsenal

Arsenal are interested in signing Rio Ngumoha.

David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano both confirmed the Gunners are admirers of the Liverpool teenager, who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young wingers in the world.

Arsenal, of course, did not replace Gabriel Martinelli this summer with a direct like-for-like option, and Ngumoha fits the profile of exactly what they are looking for on the left.

An update on where Liverpool stand in terms of a possible sale has now emerged.

Liverpool are confident Rio Ngumoha will sign a new contract

According to Flashscore, the Merseyside club are confident they will agree a new contract with Ngumoha, and they intend to get it done within the next month. Initial conversations have already been held to understand what the 18-year-old wants from his next deal and how Liverpool see his pathway developing at Anfield.

Liverpool want this resolved quickly, before Arsenal or anyone else can sway his head and make a formal approach. Bayern Munich are also known to be interested.

Ngumoha only turned 18 at the end of August and is tied down until 2028. The club have been careful to manage his development and he is now firmly considered a first-team player at Anfield.

But Liverpool just spent £123million on a left winger in Bradley Barcola and already have Cody Gakpo, who’s arguably been their best player so far this season. Something has to give there, and Ngumoha might be looking carefully at his own situation, especially seeing how Max Dowman is being primed for a key role in the Arsenal team.

Right now, though, Arsenal haven’t made a formal approach and are just watching from afar. Their interest is real but it’s nothing they will rush into. If the opportunity arises, they would explore it. January will be a window where they’re open to additions in areas where the squad is light.

Liverpool, however, have no intention of letting that opportunity materialise. If the new deal gets done in the next month, it almost certainly will not.