It’s easy to see why Bayern are interested but a move is highly unlikely this summer
Bayern Munich are interested in signing Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha. The German champions are assessing options to strengthen the left side of their attack and believe Ngumoha would be a great fit.
The German club have yet to make contact with Liverpool, but Ngumoha is aware of their interest. Both Vincent Kompany and Bayern’s board are understood to be backing the deal.
It’s easy to see why Bayern are interested in the 17-year-old. Their attack is one of the strongest in Europe but they need to plan for the future. Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry are now in their 30s, and Luis Diaz, who joined from Liverpool last summer, will soon turn 29.
None of those players are in decline by any stretch of the imagination and they all remain important contributors, but Bayern are conscious of the need to build the next generation alongside the current one.
They already have young talent in other areas of the squad like Jamal Musiala and 18-year-old Lennart Karl, but the left wing lacks a player for the future. This has reflected in Bayern’s recruitment activity. They pursued Anthony Gordon earlier this summer and have also shown interest in Cologne prospect Said El Mala. Ngumoha differs from both players in profile and experience, but the central theme here is the search for young attacking talent who can play on that flank.
Bayern also have much to offer Ngumoha. They have a strong record of developing wide players, with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery notable players at the club and Michael Olise and Diaz having recently flourished under Kompany.
But the idea of Ngumoha being sold by Liverpool this summer is ludicrous. Indeed, the club chose not to recruit a direct replacement when Diaz left last season partly because of confidence in his ability. They wanted to give him room to develop. They may end up signing a winger or two this summer, but Ngumoha remains highly rated and will play an even bigger role next season under new manager Andoni Iraola than he did last season.
There is little incentive to sell him, especially since he signed his first professional contract just in September last year and his contract runs until 2028.
However, while this summer can be ruled out, it may be possible for Ngumoha to join Bayern in the near future. Liverpool have given indications that they intend to strengthen their flanks this summer, and if they end up signing up to two players, there might just be too little gametime for Ngumoha that he decides to leave.
Harvey Elliott was also highly rated by the club but after struggling for gametime, he joined Aston Villa last summer and now looks like he has no future at either Anfield or Villa Park.
