Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha set for new contract and 'regular starting role'
Rio Ngumoha is happy at Liverpool, is expected to get regular starts this season and is not set to push for a move to Arsenal anytime soon, sources have told Football Insider.
Ngumoha is on the Gunners' radar after a breakthrough into the Liverpool first team over the last 12 months.
They are keen to tempt the teen star to North London with the promise of regular game time, consistent battles for silverware and a pathway to being one of the world's biggest stars.
The 18-year-old has been handed increased minutes by Andoni Iraola so far this season, but is out of contract in 2028.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, he is content with his current situation on Merseyside and is not angling for a move away at this stage of his career.
His rise is set to continue in the coming weeks after he earned a first full England call-up for their upcoming Nations League A fixtures.
Rio Ngumoha wants to stay at Liverpool despite Arsenal interest
Ngumoha has started in three of Liverpool's seven competitive fixtures this season, but is yet to contribute to a goal.
He is in line to feature regularly due to their lack of depth on the wings, with the Reds keen to hand him extended terms past 2028 to ward off interest from Arsenal.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "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.
"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."
Florian Wirtz wants Bayern Munich switch amid Liverpool struggles
Liverpool ended Bournemouth's long unbeaten home run with a 1-0 win on the south coast on Sunday, but Wirtz's struggles continued with an ineffective performance.
He was criticised by Jamie Carragher after the game, with the German playmaker picking up just one assist in six appearances this season.
Doubts have emerged around his future, with sources revealing to Football Insider that Wirtz is open to joining Bayern in January after they were interested in him last summer.