Liverpool have reportedly secured their first signing for the January transfer window, with the Reds bringing forward their planned move for highly-rated French striker Djylian N’Guessan.
Liverpool were busy in the summer transfer market, bringing in five new players while also agreeing a £30million deal for goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who is scheduled to arrive next summer. The club also made a major statement by spending £123m on Bradley Barcola, making the winger the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history, behind only Alexander Isak.
The Reds added Ronald Araujo from Barcelona on loan, with an option to sign the defender permanently for £47m at the end of the season. They also paid £34m to bring in winger Victor Munoz and confirmed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet, with his transfer having originally been agreed in January.
Andoni Iraola’s team also completed a deal for Austria Wien defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe. However, the 18-year-old centre-back has temporarily joined Levante on loan because work permit regulations currently prevent him from playing for Liverpool.
While deadline day passed without a major senior signing for Liverpool, the club confirmed their agreement for Brughmans and also reached a deal to bring N’Guessan to Anfield.
BBC Sport reported on Tuesday that Liverpool were nearing a £4.3m deal for the Saint-Etienne youngster. The initial expectation was that N’Guessan would move to Merseyside next summer, but that timeline has now reportedly changed.
This Is Anfield editor Jack Lusby revealed that the 18-year-old is instead expected to officially join Liverpool in January.
“Understand Djylian N’Guessan will officially make his transfer to #LFC in January,” Lusby posted on X.
The development comes despite Saint-Etienne announcing a new contract for the youngster before sending him out on loan to Brest.
Lusby explained that Liverpool could either bring N’Guessan into their squad immediately in January or allow him to remain at Brest for the rest of the season.
His eventual destination could also depend on what happens with Liverpool’s current overseas loan players, particularly Ifeanyi Ndukwe at Levante and Lucca Brughmans at Genk.
Liverpool are currently at their maximum allocation of six overseas loans, meaning N’Guessan could remain with Brest if one of the existing loan agreements is not brought to an early end. His playing time at Brest could also influence the final decision.
N’Guessan transfer already receives ‘Here We Go’
N’Guessan has already attracted comparisons with Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike. Like Ekitike, the teenager combines a tall frame with impressive technical ability and a clinical touch in front of goal.
Anfield Insights claims N’Guessan has scored 25 goals in 25 appearances for France’s youth teams.
The striker also found the net eight times in 13 appearances for Saint-Etienne’s U19 side before progressing to their B team and eventually breaking into the senior squad.
His record at senior level currently stands at just one goal in 13 appearances for Saint-Etienne, highlighting that he remains a developing prospect rather than a finished product.
Nevertheless, Liverpool appear to believe there is significant potential in the young forward. If N’Guessan continues to develop and reaches his ceiling, the Reds could have secured a future star for a relatively modest fee.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly learned whether there is any possibility of reviving their interest in Ismaila Sarr when the January transfer window opens.
