Liverpool Secure Future Star Djylian N’Guessan
Liverpool have taken another sharp turn towards the future – and this one has Fabrizio Romano’s stamp all over it.
The transfer specialist has delivered his trademark “here we go” on a deal for Saint-Etienne forward Djylian N’Guessan, with the 18-year-old set to join Liverpool in the summer of 2027.
Liverpool move early for N’Guessan
While the headlines swirl around big-money moves and late-window drama, Liverpool have quietly locked in a long-term attacking project.
French outlet Foot Mercato, via journalist Santi Aouna, first revealed that talks between AS Saint-Etienne and Liverpool were at an advanced stage for N’Guessan, whose contract in France runs until 2027. The Ligue 2 club have been open about the fact that their young star is available at the right price, with limited options given his contract situation.
Aouna reported that Liverpool view N’Guessan as a major prospect, capable of playing both out wide and through the middle, and that only the final details were left to be settled.
Those details are now done.
Romano then confirmed on X that Liverpool have reached an agreement with Saint-Etienne for N’Guessan, with the French striker to remain at his current club for another season before moving to Anfield in the summer of 2027. Liverpool have already secured authorization for his medical and have an agreement on the player side.
The move follows the recent deal for Lucca Brughmans, underlining a clear pattern: Liverpool are stockpiling talent for the next era, not just the next matchday.
Gakpo, City and the £85m question
The N’Guessan deal drops into a wider, far more volatile picture at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo’s future is now at the heart of a late-window chain reaction. Romano has revealed that Gakpo already has an agreement in place with Manchester City on personal terms, with City sending an £85m bid to Liverpool.
The situation is blunt. Liverpool will only cash in on Gakpo if they land a right winger before the deadline. No winger, no sale. If they fail to bring one in, the Netherlands international stays put.
So the pressure swings to the flanks.
Sarr tops Liverpool’s winger list
Ismaila Sarr has emerged as the leading candidate to unlock the whole domino.
Romano says Liverpool have identified the Crystal Palace winger as their priority option, ahead of Yankuba Minteh at this stage. Palace, though, are holding their line. They are currently refusing to sanction Sarr’s exit, even as they quietly scan the market for potential replacements in case the right offer lands.
Liverpool have already tested Palace’s resolve. Romano revealed that an official bid worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons – a £50m package – was sent earlier this week and rejected. The London club are not prepared to sell Sarr at that price.
Behind the scenes, the player’s stance is clear. Sarr wants the move to Liverpool. The next step rests entirely with the two clubs.
For now, Liverpool are being bombarded with winger proposals from agents and clubs who know exactly how desperate the need is. They have the Gakpo money on the table, a winger at the top of their list who wants the switch, and a future No. 9 already lined up in N’Guessan.
The clock is ticking. Does this window end with Gakpo in sky blue, Sarr in red, and N’Guessan waiting in the wings for 2027 – or do Liverpool slam the brakes and ride out the season with what they have?
