'Sources at Liverpool tell me' - Rio Ngumoha deal will 'certainly' be done
Rio Ngumoha will put exit concerns to bed and commit his future to Liverpool in the coming weeks.
That is according to experienced former Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 18-year-old's current deal is set to expire in 2028 and there has been fears that he would seek a move elsewhere amid interest from the likes of Bayern Munich.
Ngumoha has hit a new level this season for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola, impressing massively off the bench against Brentford on Saturday and from the start against Villarreal on Tuesday.
The winger made the switch to Anfield from Chelsea in 2024, with a tribunal later ruling that the move was worth up to £6.8million.
The Blues will also have a right to 20 per cent of any profit made should Ngumoha leave Liverpool in the future.
Rio Ngumoha has 'fantastic' potential
Ngumoha joined Liverpool in the hopes of achieving a better pathway to senior football, and there have been concerns that increased competition could make him think twice.
The Reds spent £123m to sign Bradley Barcola in the 18-year-old's natural position on the left, and Cody Gakpo remains a competitive option.
Ngumoha's best appearances have come from the right this season, however, and Iraola has not hesitated to deploy him there.
"He's 18. He came from Chelsea and cost up to £7m if he fulfils all the different criteria in the contract," King told Football Insider.
"Played for 74 minutes last night. He's already played for the full England squad, so the potential is fantastic for him. For an 18-year-old to have come in and already done what he's done, he's a very interesting footballer.
"Of course, with a player that age, you've got to be careful. You never know it, do you? Somebody could come in with a silly offer, but from what I'm told by sources and people in the game, he'll sign a new contract. Liverpool will certainly sort a new contract out.
"He was picked out by Liverpool. He was at Chelsea and he gets offered first team football at Liverpool at such a young age. He's a brilliant talent and I think he's got a great future at Liverpool."
What has Rio Ngumoha said about his new contract?
Recent weeks have seen Ngumoha edge closer to a new deal, with the winger becoming more and more prominent in Iraola's team.
"It's all with my agent now. I think it is all going well. I am not too sure," the teenager said after Saturday's game.
"I just let the football do the talking, I enjoy playing and all of that is in the back of my mind.
"I just play for play for Liverpool and hopefully I can carry on doing well.”