Football Presse

Klopp-connected Bundesliga rival attempted to trump Bayern Munich for Liverpool whiz Ngumoha

·By Junior Yekini
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Klopp-connected Bundesliga rival attempted to trump Bayern Munich for Liverpool whiz Ngumoha

Liverpool/X.com

Bayern Munich are not the only club to have shown interest in Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.

RB Leipzig also explored a move for the 17-year-old, according to Sky Sport Germany, but quickly concluded that a transfer for the highly-rated talent was not realistic.

The move has added intrigue given former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is now effectively in charge of football matters at Leipzig as part of his role as Red Bull's global football director.

Bayern Munich went further with their interest, with reports in Germany claiming that head coach Vincent Kompany held personal talks with the winger and reached a verbal agreement over a move.

Bayern had turned their attention to Ngumoha after an earlier pursuit of another winger fell through, viewing the teenager as cover and eventual competition on the left flank.

The move ultimately collapsed within days, with Liverpool making clear behind the scenes that they had no intention of selling.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano described Liverpool's stance on Ngumoha as "untouchable", adding that this had been the club's position for months rather than a reaction to Bayern's approach.

Ngumoha made his breakthrough at Anfield last season, making 29 appearances and scoring twice for the club, though his number of starts was limited under then-manager Arne Slot.

He has since added a senior England cap to his breakthrough campaign, having come on for his international debut during the build-up to the World Cup.

Liverpool view the winger as a key part of their long-term plans and have already moved to shore up his future on Merseyside, with the club working on an improved contract once he turns 18 later this year.

New manager Andoni Iraola is expected to give Ngumoha a more prominent role next season, having succeeded Slot in the Anfield dugout this summer.

Liverpool are already navigating significant change elsewhere in the squad following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, leaving the club with little appetite to lose a player it regards as central to its long-term attacking plans on top of that.