Liverpool find their Mohamed Salah successor as Reds close in on contract for breakout wonderkid
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Liverpool’s next top priority in the market after a record-breaking performance in the thrilling Champions League win over Villarreal on Tuesday.
Andoni Iraola’s side came from 2-0 down to emerge as 4-3 winners over their opponents at Anfield, with 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha creating goals for Ronald Araujo and Alexis Mac Allister in the process.
Ngumoha became the youngest Liverpool player to score or assist in the Champions League and the winger is continuing to emerge as a key first team player for Iraola despite his tender age.
Crucially, Ngumoha is now eligible to sign a long-term contract on Merseyside after turning 18 at the end of August, with his current deal expiring in 2028, and Romano revealed that talks are underway despite interest from other clubs in the teenager.
“What’s going to happen next for his future? There are active conversations ongoing between Rio Ngumoha and Liverpool over a new, long-term contract,” Romano said in a video posted on X.
“For the club, they absolutely want to keep Rio. There were stories about Bayern and more over the recent months, but in the summer, the player was never for sale. So there was never a possibility to see Rio Ngumoha leaving Liverpool.
“Let’s see what’s gonna happen in the future, but his contract talks are taking place, and Liverpool want Rio, absolutely, to be a big part of their future.”
Rio Ngumoha: Liverpool wonderkid ready to pen new deal after breakout match
Ngumoha joined Liverpool from Chelsea’s academy last year and he made 29 appearances in all competitions during his debut season, scoring twice in the Premier League.
🥇 Rio Ngumoha - 16
🥈 Lamine Yamal, Aboubakary Koita - 12
🥉 Michael Olise - 9 https://t.co/iHUgBjK6SE
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 20, 2026
This season, Ngumoha has largely featured off the bench in domestic matches but he has started three Champions League games and recorded his first goal contributions of the campaign against Villarreal, which could end up providing a platform for Liverpool to step up his game time.
Liverpool revamped their wide options during the summer after Mohamed Salah’s departure, with Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola arriving as replacements, but Ngumoha may prove to be the Egyptian’s true successor after admitting that the match against Villarreal was among his brightest performances in his young career.
“It's up there with one of the best I've played,” Ngumoha told Amazon Prime Sports after the match. “I enjoyed myself and the team helped me a lot.
“Whenever I get the ball and there's an opportunity to go one-v-one or two-v-one, I believe in myself. I'll just keep going and be ruthless.”
The England international – who already has three caps – also admitted last week that he is ready to sign a new contract with Liverpool, with the Reds desperate to keep hold of a player who is quickly developing into one of the world’s brightest young talents.
