Liverpool sign Djylian N'Guessan, giving Andoni Iraola new hope

Comments Sport Fasika Zelealem, Senior Sports Reporter, 05:00, 05 Sep 2026 – Liverpool have agreed a permanent transfer for 18‑year‑old Saint‑Étienne forward Djylian N'Guessan, to join the club in January for a fee of £4.3 million, with the teenager spending the 2026/27 season on loan at Stade Brestois. The deal was announced on 5 September 2026, days after the transfer deadline chaos.

Why Liverpool turned to N'Guessan

The Reds failed to replace Mohamed Salah’s departure with a proven right‑winger, and their pursuit of Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh fell through after the Seagulls rejected bids of £50 million and £60 million. With the summer described as a period of tension, anticipation and disappointment, Andoni Iraola needed a fresh option to bolster attacking depth, and the 18‑year‑old French‑Gambian offered both potential and affordability.

In addition to the N'Guessan deal, Iraola, 43, completed three other first‑team signings this summer – Victor Munoz, Ronald Araujo and Bradley Barcola – and secured the long‑awaited arrival of Jeremy Jacquet, a player initially signed under Arne Slot’s tenure.

Previous targets and setbacks

Yankuba Minteh, the 22‑year‑old Brighton forward, remained at the Amex Stadium after Brighton’s manager Fabian Hurzeler hinted a winter exit could be possible. Iraola said: "If the whole team is successful and the individual shines then Yankuba will get a lot of attention again and he can then maybe fulfil his dream in the next transfer window."

View 3 Images Liverpool failed to sign Yankuba Minteh in the transfer window (Image: Crystal Pix/). The club’s inability to secure a direct replacement heightened the urgency to lock in emerging talent.

N'Guessan has made 13 appearances for Saint‑Étienne, scoring once, and earned seven caps for France at the U20 World Cup, where the side finished fourth. The move gives Liverpool a youthful prospect with international experience, while the loan to Stade Brestois ensures regular first‑team football ahead of his January arrival.

For the teenager, the transfer represents a step into the Premier League environment and a chance to develop under Iraola’s guidance. Liverpool, meanwhile, add a versatile forward who could fill the creative void left by Salah and provide depth for the demanding 2026/27 campaign.

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