Rio Ngumoha to Arsenal: Why 2027 transfer makes perfect sense

Updated: 15 Sept 2026 17:48 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Arsenal are reportedly keeping close tabs on Liverpool starlet Rio Ngumoha as they consider a possible approach in 2027.

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The Gunners failed to sign top targets Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior this summer, and while they bolstered their forward roster with the addition of Christos Tzolis, there is an acceptance that Mikel Arteta’s side are still fairly light in attack.

Several stars will be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the coming months and transfer journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that Ngumoha is on Arsenal’s radar, with the reigning Premier League champions watching his situation at Anfield very closely.

And, while it may seem highly unlikely that Liverpool would sell one of Europe’s most promising teenagers to a direct rival, there are a number of reasons why the transfer would make sense.

Current ETV

Rio Ngumoha

F, M (L)

Liverpool

Rio Ngumoha

F, M (L)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€19.6M - €23.9M

Arsenal need a left winger

The aforementioned Tzolis has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Arsenal and he has already endeared himself to the Emirates Stadium faithful thanks to his selflessness in attack.

However, Arsenal need a strong squad as they look to consistently challenge for major honours and the Greece international needs fierce competition to ensure his standards don’t slip.

Having sold Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli over the summer, Arsenal now have one fewer attacker in their first-team squad, and addressing this issue in 2027 is likely to be a priority, with the club expected to sign a new left winger next year.

Interest in Ngumoha therefore doesn’t come as a surprise. The England winger, who shone on his senior debut for the Three Lions before the World Cup, is one of the most electrifying young forwards in world football, and his immense close control and final-third flair would add an extra dimension to Arsenal’s attacking play.

There is little doubt that Ngumoha has a higher ceiling than Tzolis and if he is available next year, pursuing a deal would be a no-brainer.

© IMAGO - Rio Ngumoha is on Arsenal's transfer radar

Liverpool have too many left wingers

While Arsenal are thin on the ground in regards to options on the left flank of attack, the opposite is true at Liverpool.

Having lost Mohamed Salah on a Bosman deal to Trabzonspor, most expected the Reds to sign an out-and-out replacement for the Egypt legend. Instead, they signed Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, both of whom can play on the right but are more comfortable on the left.

Cody Gakpo was widely tipped to depart over the summer to ease the congestion on the left flank, but Liverpool ultimately blocked a sale and he has started the 2026-27 campaign in flying form under Andoni Iraola.

So, the new Liverpool boss now arguably has four top-class wingers who want to play on the left at his disposal, and it’s a situation that could soon get tetchy.

Ngumoha, for what it’s worth, has only played 37 minutes in Liverpool’s last three Premier League matches combined and having left Chelsea due to a lack of opportunities, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could explore an Anfield exit if he continues to be overlooked.

He’s English

The final reason why Ngumoha to Arsenal makes perfect sense may seem slightly bizarre, but Arteta has built his squad around a strong English core in recent years.

Ben White, Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are all key members of the Arsenal squad, while the Gunners added to this roster with the signing of Ezri Konsa over the summer.

Whether or not this is a deliberate ploy from Arteta isn’t 100% obvious, but Arsenal have a strong contingent of English stars at their disposal, which could appeal to Ngumoha and may also play a role in the north London giants’ pursuit of his signature.