Richard Hughes fast-tracks Rio Ngumoha contract after Bayern Munich scare

Richard Hughes fast-tracks Rio Ngumoha contract after Bayern Munich scare While no agreement existed between the clubs the 17-year-old winger was reported to have green-lit the move to the Bundesliga giants. And it’s perhaps understandable why the electric winger would be open to a move away at this stage of his career. Rio was stuck firmly behind Cody Gakpo - and also Florian Wirtz - in the pecking order under Arne Slot. Even when the youngster impressed in his cameos - featuring goals against Newcastle and Fulham - he was often straight back to the bench. Liverpool sold Luis Diaz last summer in order to clear the pathway for Ngumoha to develop into a first-team player but Dutchman Slot stuck rigidly with Gakpo. Liverpool fast-track Ngumoha contract But there appears to be a big development for Ngumoha’s career incoming. The England international will have the chance to work under a new coach in Andoni Iraola - who may well end up placing more faith in him as a starter. And with Gakpo, 27, the subject of intense transfer rumours one more obstacle could soon disappear. A report in Football Insider is now claiming that Liverpool will give Ngumoha a new contract in August - right after his 18th birthday. Following his 17th birthday last year Richard Hughes tied Ngumoha to a three-year pro deal - the maximum duration for a player of his age. With two years now left to run on that contract the outgoing Premier League champions will be very keen to extend that for the long term. Liverpool fuming over Bayern approach “Liverpool are planning to urgently agree a new contract with Rio Ngumoha as soon as he turns 18 amid huge Bayern Munich interest,” the report reads. “Liverpool will offer Ngumoha a new contract following his 18th birthday later this year. “His current deal runs until 2028, but they are keen to ward off interest from Bayern and other top clubs by agreeing fresh terms.” The reported interest from Bayern hit the Reds like a bolt from the blue last week. Liverpool execs will have been blindsided - especially with the suggestion that a deal had already been okayed on the player’s side. That threat will now put Richard Hughes to work on a new deal - which will hopefully end in a satisfactory manner for all parties. "Liverpool are obviously unhappy with this suggestion that Bayern Munich have agreed personal terms with the player to try and get a deal done,” the report reads.