Liverpool and Everton in Race for Jamie Leweling
Liverpool and Everton are squaring up for a late-window tussle over Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling, with both Merseyside clubs exploring a deal as the clock ticks towards the deadline.
Liverpool reshuffle plans after Gakpo decision
Liverpool’s summer has already been heavy on business. Jeremy Jacquet (£55m from Stade Rennais), Victor Munoz (£34.5m from Osasuna), Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona, Ifeanyi Ndukwe (£2.57m from Austria Vienna) and Bradley Barcola (£106m from PSG) have all arrived as the squad is reshaped.
For weeks, the expectation around Anfield was clear: if Cody Gakpo went to Manchester City, a major right-wing signing would follow. City tested Liverpool’s resolve with an £85m bid and Gakpo was open to the move.
Then the situation flipped.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Liverpool had decided to keep Gakpo after failing to identify a suitable replacement, rejecting City’s offer with the Dutchman now “ready to continue at #LFC”. City, Romano added, have turned their attention to Ndiaye and Enzo Fernández instead.
That decision appeared to close the door on another senior attacker. Yet a late twist has emerged in Germany.
Leweling in demand as Merseyside rivals circle
Sky Deutschland report that Liverpool are attempting to bring in Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling before the deadline, even if the chances of another established forward arriving remain slim.
Everton have already made what is described as a “concrete proposal” for the versatile attacker, who can operate across the front line. Liverpool, for now, are said to “remain interested” as deadline day unfolds.
Leweling has options. Staying put is one of them.
According to the report, the winger is regarded as one of the most sought-after players in the Stuttgart squad after a standout campaign last season, when he delivered 23 goal contributions in 50 competitive matches for VfB. That kind of output has naturally drawn attention, and Stuttgart are braced for more offers before the window shuts on Tuesday.
Whether Leweling moves now or waits for another window is still unclear. The interest, though, is real, and it has landed right on Merseyside’s fault line.
Athletic: Liverpool unlikely to add another senior winger
Despite the noise from Germany, the line from within Liverpool circles is more cautious.
In a joint piece for The Athletic, Gregg Evans and James Pearce report that Liverpool are “unlikely to make another senior addition” in wide areas before the deadline. The focus, instead, is drifting towards youth and the goalkeeping department.
Two 18-year-olds are expected to come in: Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans and Saint-Etienne winger Djylian N’Guessan. Both are viewed as long-term investments rather than instant first-team solutions.
Brughmans is close to joining for around €33million, with Liverpool planning to send him straight back to Genk on loan for the rest of the season — unless late interest emerges in current keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and forces a rethink.
On the flanks, Liverpool have agreed a fee of about €5million with Saint-Etienne for N’Guessan, a France under-20 international. He is expected to link up with the club next summer, not now.
So Liverpool stand at an intriguing crossroads: a senior winger like Leweling on the market, Everton already at the table, and internal briefings suggesting no more big attacking signings.
If someone blinks in the final hours, will it be at Anfield or across Stanley Park?
