Liverpool Secures Future Star Djylian N’Guessan

Liverpool have moved to lock down another piece of their future attack, with Fabrizio Romano delivering his trademark “here we go” on a deal for Saint-Etienne forward Djylian N’Guessan.

The 18-year-old, regarded as one of the brightest prospects at AS Saint-Etienne, will join Liverpool in the summer of 2027 after remaining in France for one more season. The agreement, confirmed by Romano, includes authorization for a medical and is described as “done also player side”, with the teenager able to operate both on the wing and through the middle.

Liverpool’s next one for the future

The move continues a clear pattern. Liverpool are reshaping their squad with an eye on the next generation, not just the next matchday. N’Guessan follows Lucca Brughmans as another long-term attacking investment, with the club again stepping in early before the wider market turns its gaze.

The story first surfaced via Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who reported “advanced negotiations” between Saint-Etienne and Liverpool for N’Guessan, whose current deal in France runs until 2027. Aouna noted that the Ligue 1 side had effectively opened the door for their young star, describing him as a major prospect with limited alternatives given his contract situation.

“There are only a few hours left to finalize the deal… or not,” Aouna wrote, as talks accelerated towards the deadline. Romano then moved quickly to confirm that those final details had been ironed out, with Liverpool striking an agreement that will see N’Guessan arrive in three years’ time.

Gakpo, City and the winger domino

While the N’Guessan deal is about the long term, the rest of Liverpool’s attacking picture is anything but calm.

Bradley Barcola is set to arrive from Paris Saint-Germain after completing his medical on Sunday, and that signing could trigger one of the window’s biggest internal decisions: Cody Gakpo’s future.

According to Romano, Gakpo already has a contract agreement in place with Manchester City, and City have sent an £85m bid to Anfield. Liverpool’s stance is clear: they will only accept if they secure a right winger before the deadline. No winger, no sale.

That condition has pushed Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr to the front of the queue.

On his YouTube channel, Romano described Sarr as the “favourite candidate”, ahead of Yankuba Minteh, for Liverpool’s wide role. Palace, though, are holding firm for now. The London club are still saying no to a sale while at the same time sounding out potential replacements in case a suitable 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 in the week and rejected. He stressed it was a written, formal offer, not a verbal enquiry.

Sarr, for his part, wants the move. The winger is keen on joining Liverpool, but the outcome now rests with the two clubs and whether Liverpool decide to return with an improved proposal that finally forces Palace to bend.

For Liverpool’s recruitment team, the clock is loud. Gakpo’s £85m exit to Manchester City hangs on finding that “right winger”. Sarr has emerged as the leading option. Agents and clubs across Europe are flooding Liverpool with alternatives, aware the Reds are in the market and under time pressure.

Amid the frenzy, one thing is already settled: Djylian N’Guessan will be wearing red in 2027. The real question is who else will still be there when he finally walks through the door.