Liverpool Eye Late Move for Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling

Liverpool are weighing up a late move for Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling, muscling in on a deal that Everton have already tried to push over the line, according to reports in Germany.

The Merseyside rivals are circling the 23-year-old, who can operate anywhere across the front line and has emerged as one of the Bundesliga side’s most coveted assets. Leweling racked up 23 goal contributions in 50 competitive games for VfB Stuttgart last season, a return that has turned him into a deadline-day target.

Gakpo stays, City knocked back

Any late attacking business at Anfield comes against the backdrop of a major decision on Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool had been braced for the possibility of losing the Dutchman to Manchester City, with a huge £85m offer on the table and plans in place for a big-money right-wing signing if he left. That scenario has been shut down.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Liverpool have rejected City’s bid and opted to keep Gakpo, with the forward accepting the decision and committing to stay at Anfield. City have now turned their attention to other targets, including Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández.

That call appeared to close the door on another senior forward arriving before the window shuts. Yet Sky Deutschland report that Liverpool are still exploring a late swoop for Leweling, even if the chances are described as slim.

Everton move first, Liverpool watch closely

Across Stanley Park, Everton have already made their move. The Toffees are understood to have lodged a concrete proposal for Leweling as they scramble to add firepower before the deadline.

Liverpool, by contrast, are described as “remaining interested” rather than being at the same advanced stage. The player has not made a decision on his future, with staying at Stuttgart still firmly on the table.

The German report underlines just how hot the market is for the winger. Leweling is labelled one of the most sought-after players in the Stuttgart squad, and the club are braced for more offers before Tuesday’s deadline. Whether they cash in now or hold their nerve is still open.

Senior winger unlikely as Liverpool pivot to youth

Despite the late noise around Leweling, the message from inside Liverpool is more cautious.

A joint report from Gregg Evans and James Pearce in The Athletic states that Liverpool are unlikely to add another senior winger in this window. The club’s heavy lifting in attack appears done after a summer that has already seen Jeremy Jacquet arrive from Stade Rennais for £55m, Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m, Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna for £2.57m and a huge £106m deal for Bradley Barcola from PSG.

Instead, the focus is drifting towards future planning and squad reshaping in other areas.

Two 18-year-olds are expected to come in: Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans and Saint-Etienne winger Djylian N’Guessan. Brughmans is close to a €33m move, with Liverpool planning to loan him straight back to Genk for the rest of the season unless late interest emerges in Giorgi Mamardashvili.

N’Guessan, a France under-20 international, is set to cost around €5m and will not link up with Liverpool until next summer after the clubs agreed a deal.

So Liverpool stand at an intriguing crossroads: a senior forward chase that may fizzle out, a raft of high-profile arrivals already banked, and two teenage talents lined up for tomorrow. The question now is whether they make one last push for Leweling – or let Everton steal a march in their own backyard.