Liverpool Secures Future Forward N’Guessan from Saint-Etienne

Liverpool have moved to secure one of France’s brightest young forwards, with Fabrizio Romano delivering his trademark “here we go” on a deal for Saint-Etienne attacker Djylian N’Guessan.

The 18-year-old will join Liverpool in the summer of 2027, staying at Saint-Etienne for one more season before making the switch to Anfield. The agreement, confirmed by Romano, includes authorization for a medical and is viewed inside the club as another long-term investment, following the capture of Lucca Brughmans.

Liverpool lock in N’Guessan as future piece

The story first broke via Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna, who revealed on X that talks between AS Saint-Etienne and Liverpool had reached an advanced stage, with only “last details to settle.”

Saint-Etienne have been open about the situation: N’Guessan’s contract runs until 2027, limiting their room for manoeuvre and making a sale one of the few realistic options for their young star.

Aouna reported that Liverpool see N’Guessan, who can operate out wide or through the middle, as a major prospect for the future and that negotiations were racing against the clock with only hours left in the window to finalise the transfer.

The pressure did not crack Liverpool. It paid off.

Romano then confirmed that a full agreement is in place: N’Guessan will remain with Saint-Etienne for another campaign before joining Liverpool in 2027, the player side also completed. The deal fits a familiar pattern at Anfield – recruit early, park the talent, and wait for the payoff.

Gakpo, City and the Sarr domino

While Liverpool plan for 2027, the present remains volatile.

Cody Gakpo’s future is at the heart of a late-window tug-of-war. According to Romano, the Netherlands international already has an agreement on personal terms with Manchester City, and City have tabled an £85m bid to Liverpool.

That offer is on the table. Liverpool’s stance is clear: Gakpo only goes if a new winger walks through the door before the deadline. No replacement, no sale.

This is where the story twists toward Selhurst Park.

Romano says Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr has emerged as Liverpool’s preferred option ahead of Yankuba Minteh. Sarr is the leading candidate, but Palace are holding firm for now, resisting attempts to prise him away while they quietly scan the market for potential replacements of their own.

Liverpool have already tested Palace’s resolve. Romano revealed that an official written bid worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons – a £50m package – was sent earlier this week and rejected. At the time, there were no public links between Sarr and Liverpool, but the failed offer has since dragged the story into the spotlight.

Palace are not selling at that price. Sarr, though, wants the move. His future now hangs on whether the two clubs can find common ground before the window slams shut.

Around that stand-off, the market is swirling. Agents and clubs are flooding Liverpool with winger options, knowing the Reds could trigger a late attacking reshuffle if Gakpo’s exit to Manchester City is unlocked.

Liverpool have already secured tomorrow in N’Guessan. The question now is whether they can fix today in time to cash in on Gakpo – and what that will say about the direction of their next era.