Rio Ngumoha Set to Snub Arsenal as Liverpool Nears New Deal

Arsenal’s search for a new left winger looks set to hit another dead end – and this time the door is being slammed shut at Anfield.

The Premier League champions have been tracking Liverpool’s 18-year-old wide man Rio Ngumoha as they hunt for a long-term option on the left in 2027. Failed moves for Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior over the summer left a clear gap after Gabriel Martinelli’s departure, with no direct replacement coming through the door.

David Ornstein has already hinted that Arsenal could move again in January, saying he “could see something happening” in that area of the pitch. Ngumoha quickly emerged as a name on their radar.

Liverpool, though, have never sounded remotely open to the idea.

An agreement in principle

Earlier this month, TEAMtalk revealed that Liverpool and Ngumoha’s camp had struck an agreement in principle over a lucrative new contract to keep the teenager at Anfield. Those talks have now moved into the stage where the paperwork needs to catch up with the intention.

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that discussions to turn that framework into a full, binding deal are progressing smoothly, with no major obstacles expected for the Reds.

“Obviously, Liverpool are desperate to keep hold of Ngumoha, and the player himself, I understand, is happy at Liverpool as well and is set to get regular starts this season,” O’Rourke explained, underlining the club’s belief in him as a first-team option rather than a squad filler.

“When you get top young players like this, they’re always going to attract interest from other clubs, but Liverpool are confident that his long-term future will be at Anfield… there is optimism I think on both sides that they can get this deal agreed.”

The pressure finally told. With Ngumoha buying into the pathway laid out for him and negotiations focused on ironing out the final details, the direction of travel is clear: Arsenal look poised to miss out on yet another left-sided target.

Liverpool’s stance: not for sale

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has echoed that picture. He reported that Liverpool’s message, throughout a summer of rumours involving Bayern Munich and others, never wavered.

“In the summer, we had many rumours about Bayern Munich and more clubs, but the message from Liverpool was always the same: the player is not leaving, the player is not for sale and Liverpool trust Rio. Rio is Liverpool’s future,” Romano said.

“Liverpool never really considered anything, apart from appreciating the player, which is normal. Ngumoha is one of the best talents in his position around, so it is normal to have clubs looking at him.

“At the same time, the message from Liverpool was not for sale and no exit. There was not even a discussion or a negotiation.”

Arsenal’s angle

So why does Ngumoha’s name keep circling around north London?

Romano pointed to the obvious gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad building. Arsenal moved Leandro Trossard on and brought in Christos Tzolis, then watched Martinelli leave without landing a marquee successor. They chose to trust what they already had, but the recruitment department has not stopped scanning the horizon.

“Now there are rumours about Arsenal. Why are there rumours about Arsenal? Because Arsenal did not officially sign anyone to replace Martinelli,” Romano said.

“They replaced Leandro Trossard with Christos Tzolis, then Martinelli left and Arsenal decided to stay with the team they have. But Arsenal always look at opportunities.

“If there is a chance to sign Rio Ngumoha in 2027, 2028 or whenever, for sure Arsenal would be among the clubs interested. And not only Arsenal. I am sure there will also be clubs from abroad.”

That is the crux for the Gunners: Ngumoha is exactly the profile they want, but they are staring at a club who see him as a cornerstone of their future, not a tradeable asset.

What happens next

Romano summed up the current state of play bluntly.

“There will be strong interest in Rio Ngumoha. But at the moment, Liverpool want to keep the boy and Liverpool are discussing a new contract with Rio.

“There are conversations ongoing about the contract. Then you still need to get it done. You still need to give the guarantees the player wants and find the balance on every single point.

“So let’s follow the situation. But that is the status around Rio Ngumoha.”

Liverpool are closing in, confident and calm. Arsenal, once again, are left waiting for a crack in the door that may never come.