Liverpool and Everton Target Jamie Leweling Before Deadline
Liverpool and Everton are circling the same late-window target, with both Merseyside clubs pushing to land Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling before the deadline, according to reports in Germany.
Gakpo stays, City turned away
Liverpool’s attacking plans have already taken one major twist. A blockbuster move for Cody Gakpo was on the table, with Manchester City lodging an £85 million bid and the Dutchman prepared to make the switch.
Liverpool shut the door.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the club decided to keep Gakpo after failing to identify and secure a suitable replacement. The forward has accepted the decision and is ready to continue at Anfield, while City have moved their attention to other targets, including Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández.
That call appeared to cool expectations of another big-money winger arriving at Liverpool before the window shuts. Yet Leweling’s name has dragged them back into the late-market chaos.
Leweling in demand – Merseyside battle brewing
Sky Deutschland report that Liverpool are attempting to bring in Leweling from Stuttgart before the deadline, even if the chances of another senior attacking signing are described as slim.
Everton, though, have already made their move. The Toffees are understood to have submitted a concrete proposal for the 23-year-old, who can operate anywhere across the front line. Liverpool, for now, are described as “remaining interested” as the clock ticks down.
Leweling has not decided his future. Staying at Stuttgart is still firmly on the table.
The German outlet underline just how hot the market is for him. The winger is labelled one of the most sought-after players in the Swabian club’s squad after a standout 2023-24 season in which he produced 23 goal contributions in 50 competitive appearances for VfB. Stuttgart expect more offers to land before Tuesday’s deadline, and it is not yet clear whether they will cash in or hold their ground.
Liverpool’s wing stance: no major addition expected
Despite the noise around Leweling, the message from within Liverpool is more restrained.
In a joint report for The Athletic, Gregg Evans and James Pearce state that Liverpool are unlikely to make another senior addition in wide areas before the window closes. The club have already invested heavily this summer, bringing in Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais for £55 million, Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5 million, Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna for £2.57 million and Bradley Barcola from PSG for £106 million.
The expectation had been that another major right-sided attacker would arrive only if Gakpo left. With that avenue now closed, the focus at Anfield is shifting towards younger profiles and future planning rather than another headline attacking signing.
Teen talents and a goalkeeping twist
The late action at Liverpool is more likely to come in the form of youth signings and potential changes in goal.
Evans and Pearce report that 18-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans is close to joining from Genk in a deal worth around €33 million. The plan is straightforward: sign him now, then send him back to the Belgian club on loan for the rest of the season. That could change only if there is unexpected late interest in current keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
On the flanks, Liverpool are also pushing to complete a move for another 18-year-old, winger Djylian N’Guessan from Saint-Etienne. A fee of around €5 million has been agreed for the France under-20 international, who is scheduled to link up with Liverpool next summer rather than immediately.
So the picture is clear but tense. Everton have put their cards on the table for Leweling. Liverpool, publicly calm about adding another senior winger, are still hovering in the background while locking down their long-term projects.
If Stuttgart finally crack under the pressure of deadline-day offers, which side of Merseyside will Leweling choose?
