Rio Ngumoha poised for new Liverpool contract as Arsenal's search falters

Arsenal’s hunt for a new left winger looks set to hit another dead end, with Rio Ngumoha increasingly likely to commit his long-term future to Liverpool.

The Premier League champions have been tracking the 18-year-old closely as they look to fill the void left by Gabriel Martinelli in 2027. Failed moves for Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior over the summer have only sharpened the need for a wide attacker, and David Ornstein has already hinted that Arsenal “could see something happening” in January.

All the signs, though, point away from Anfield.

Liverpool move to lock down their next star

Liverpool identified the threat early. TEAMtalk revealed earlier this month that the club had reached an agreement in principle with Ngumoha’s camp over a lucrative new contract, a deal designed to shut down the growing noise around one of the most coveted young wingers in Europe.

Those talks have now moved into the decisive phase. Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that discussions to turn that provisional understanding into a fully signed contract are progressing smoothly, with no major obstacles expected.

He underlined Liverpool’s stance: the club are “desperate to keep hold of Ngumoha,” while the player is understood to be happy on Merseyside and “set to get regular starts this season.” That pathway – minutes now, a starring role later – is central to the pitch Liverpool have made.

Ngumoha appears to have bought into it.

For Arsenal, that is a problem. With no direct replacement for Martinelli through the door and another prime target slipping away, the pattern is becoming uncomfortably familiar.

‘Rio is Liverpool’s future’

Fabrizio Romano has echoed the growing consensus around Ngumoha’s future. The transfer specialist stressed that Liverpool’s message has been unwavering, even when European heavyweights circled in the summer.

“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.

There were admirers everywhere. There were no negotiations.

“Ngumoha is one of the best talents in his position around, so it is normal to have clubs looking at him,” Romano added. Liverpool, though, simply refused to engage. No price, no talks, no exit.

Now the attention has swung to Arsenal, who have left a gap on the left after Martinelli’s departure and a reshuffle that saw Leandro Trossard replaced by Christos Tzolis. The London club are scanning the market, waiting for the right opening.

That opening does not look like coming from Anfield any time soon.

Arsenal watching, Europe waiting

Romano explained the logic behind the fresh links: Arsenal “always look at opportunities,” and if a chance arises to sign Ngumoha “in 2027, 2028 or whenever,” they would be among the clubs ready to move. They would not be alone. Interest from abroad is expected to be strong if Liverpool ever soften their stance.

Right now, they have not.

Liverpool are deep in talks with Ngumoha over a new contract, working through the details and the guarantees the teenager wants as he steps into a bigger role. There is still paperwork to complete and final points to balance, but the direction of travel is clear.

Arsenal’s search for a left winger goes on. Ngumoha, barring a dramatic late twist, looks set to grow into that role in red – just not the shade they had in mind.