Bayern Munich are exploring a surprise move to sign Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.
The German champions have been considering multiple candidates to bolster their attack and Ngumoha is their main target for the left side.
Ngumoha, 17, is aware of Bayern’s strong interest and intentions — driven by head coach Vincent Kompany and the board — although they are yet to contact Liverpool.
The Anfield club insist Ngumoha is not for sale and they plan to enhance their options in his area of the pitch, rather than diminish them.
Ngumoha signed his first professional deal in September, which commits him to Anfield until June 2028.
His emergence was a significant reason why Liverpool did not recruit a direct replacement when Luis Diaz transferred to Bayern last summer.
Ngumoha made 29 appearances across all competitions in 2025-26, contributing two goals and an assist.
The England youth international is currently training with the senior team in Florida ahead of the World Cup, although he will not be part of their squad for the tournament.
Liverpool’s priority in the upcoming transfer window is wide forwards and a top candidate is RB Leipzig talent Yan Diomande, while other possibilities are also being studied.
‘Future planning has to start now’
Analysis by German football correspondent Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
It makes sense for Bayern. Their attack is certainly among the best in Europe, but it has ageing parts. Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry are both in their 30s — Gnabry only has a year left on his contract — and Luis Diaz will soon turn 29.
Targeting such a young player is a way of navigating a complex issue. All of those players have much more to give and based on performance, each remains well within his prime.
At the same time, the future planning has to start now and while Bayern have many talented young players who have emerged or are emerging — most obviously Jamal Musiala, 23, but also 18-year-old Lennart Karl — there is no obvious standout on the left side of the attack.
That was reflected in the club’s pursuit of Anthony Gordon this summer, but also their prior interest in Koln’s Said El Mala, who has recently rejected a move to Brentford. Ngumoha is a different player in profile and is at a different stage of development, but Bayern’s focus on that area of the pitch is neither anything new nor any kind of surprise.
Their success rate is high, too. Any prospectus for new signings now contains the rapid progress Michael Olise has achieved under Vincent Kompany, who has made him a star, as well as Luis Diaz’s stellar first season. Undeniably, they have created an enticing environment for any wide forward, within the broader context of one of the biggest clubs in the world.
‘A beacon in Liverpool’s gloom’
Analysis by Liverpool correspondent James Pearce
The idea that Liverpool would even consider selling Rio Ngumoha this summer is ludicrous.
During a bleak season for the club the teenage winger shone like a beacon in the gloom — clocking up 29 appearances in all competitions. His excellent form was rewarded with a call up to England’s Florida training camp ahead of the World Cup.
Liverpool need to buy wide forwards this summer, not sell them, with Mohamed Salah having left and Federico Chiesa also expected to depart.
Ngumoha finished the season as Liverpool’s first choice left winger and the expectation is that he will be a regular starter under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Why would he want to go to Bayern where his opportunities, at least initially, would be more limited with Luis Diaz having just enjoyed a prolific season in that role?
It is understandable why the Bundesliga champions admire him but he’s under contract until 2028 and Liverpool are looking to the future with him on board.