Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool to ‘Hold Talks’ Over Deal for Winger | OneFootball

Liverpool Move Early to Secure Future of Rising Star Ngumoha

At Liverpool, youth development is more than an afterthought. It is part of the club’s identity, woven into the fabric of its greatest achievements. So when a teenage talent begins to catch eyes across the training ground at Kirkby, the club acts swiftly.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are doing just that. “Liverpool are planning to advance for new deal talks with talented winger Rio Ngumoha,” the journalist reported on X.

Ngumoha only joined Liverpool from Chelsea in 2023, but he has already become a standout performer across multiple academy levels. Still just 16, he is expected to sign his first professional contract once he turns 17 next month, with a three-year deal on the table to take him through to 2028.

Pathway to Senior Football Already in Motion

For those inside the club, Ngumoha’s rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. He has featured prominently for Liverpool’s U18s, U19s and U21s this season, a rare feat for someone of his age. He also made his senior debut in the FA Cup clash against Accrington Stanley, a moment that underlined the faith Arne Slot’s backroom staff already have in his ability.

What sets Ngumoha apart is not only his pace and technical control on the wing, but also his composure in tight spaces and intelligence in build-up play. His versatility across the front line adds further value, and it is understood that Liverpool view him as a long-term asset who could transition into the first-team squad within the next two seasons.

Contract Reflects Club’s Commitment

Romano confirms what many close to the academy suspected: Liverpool are laying the foundation for Ngumoha to flourish. “Discussions ongoing for 2008 born talent to sign new long term contract,” he noted, which aligns with Liverpool’s track record of securing young players before interest from rival clubs escalates.

This proactive approach mirrors previous moves the club made with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak. It is part of a wider strategy to reinforce the player pipeline while maintaining financial discipline in the transfer market.

Long-Term Vision at Centre of Slot’s Plan

While it remains early days, the trust placed in Ngumoha suggests that Arne Slot is continuing the ethos of integrating youth into Liverpool’s high-level environment. His debut season, crowned with a Premier League title, showed he is unafraid to blend experience with raw talent.

Photo: IMAGO

Ngumoha’s story is only just beginning, but with a professional contract on the horizon, Liverpool are ensuring that he will be writing his next chapters in red. The coming pre-season could offer him a further platform to impress, especially with several senior internationals likely to be eased back into training following the Euros and Copa América.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is exactly what fans want to see: the club protecting its future by investing in talent from within. Rio Ngumoha has shown flashes of brilliance across all youth levels and did not look out of place when given his first-team opportunity in the FA Cup. He plays with a confidence and technical sharpness that stands out even among older peers.

Tying him down early to a professional contract sends a strong message. It shows Liverpool’s academy isn’t just producing players for the loan market, but for Anfield’s future. In a world where clubs too often lose top young talent due to slow decision-making or external distractions, this kind of decisiveness is welcome.

With Arne Slot at the helm and a reputation for trusting youth, Ngumoha is in the right place to grow. The hope is that the club will continue to provide meaningful opportunities, both in pre-season and domestic cups, to keep his development on track. He has the tools, and now the pathway appears clearer than ever.

Liverpool fans should be excited about this one. There is something special about watching a young winger grow into a key figure. Ngumoha could well be that story in the years to come.