Rio Ngumoha could help Chelsea complete €100m signing

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea remain frustrated by Rio Ngumoha’s decision to leave the club in 2024, but the Liverpool forward could inadvertently help them sign Bradley Barcola this summer.

Ngumoha joined Chelsea’s academy as an eight-year-old and after progressing through the youth ranks at Cobham, he ultimately decided to depart the club at 16 years old due to a perceived lack of a clear first-team pathway.

Current ETV

Rio Ngumoha

F, M (L)

Liverpool

Rio Ngumoha

F, M (L)

Liverpool

€29.8M

ETV Range

€26.9M - €32.8M

View full profile

The Blues were powerless to prevent an exit, in a similar way to Jamal Musiala’s move to Bayern Munich, and Ngumoha has established himself as a regular at Liverpool over the past year.

He made his senior debut for the Reds against Accrington Stanley in January 2025, and he racked up 29 first-team appearances for the club last season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

Ngumoha’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has already risen to €29.8 million as a result of his recent ascent to stardom at Anfield, and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are exploring a blockbuster summer move, as confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Vincent Kompany’s side have earmarked the 17-year-old as their primary left winger target, after missing out on Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, and contact has been initiated with Ngumoha’s representatives.

However, Liverpool have no intention of selling Ngumoha and they view him as one of the most important players for the future, meaning Bayern’s pursuit is likely to be in vain. But, in order to keep him at the club, Liverpool will need to promise Ngumoha a key role under new boss Andoni Iraola next season, which could impact their business in the transfer market this summer.

The Reds had been expected to sign a new left winger before the start of the 2026-27 season, but Ngumoha could instead be promoted into a regular starting XI member and this may stop them from spending a huge transfer fee on an alternative option.

In turn, this could help Chelsea finally complete the signing of long-term target Barcola.

Bradley Barcola to Chelsea?

Barcola was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 and it has been reported that he remains on their radar ahead of this summer.

Rumours indicate that Barcola is open to leaving Luis Enrique’s side after falling behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the pecking order at the Parc des Princes, and with Chelsea facing significant competition for Morgan Rogers, they could turn their attention to Barcola.

The France international has been earmarked as one of Liverpool’s top left winger targets for the summer, however with Ngumoha likely to be given a key role under Iraola, the Reds may opt against pursuing a deal, which could help pave the way for Chelsea to secure his signature.

Barcola, who is valued at €100m by PSG, registered 20 goal contributions in 49 games last campaign, and with Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho struggling during their debut campaigns at Stamford Bridge, a move for the Frenchman could be pivotal for Chelsea’s chances under Xabi Alonso next term.

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