Published Sep 5, 2026, 11:40 AM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Andoni Iraola inherited a squad undergoing significant change and Liverpool backed their new head coach with some expensive additions.

The headline arrival was Bradley Barcola, with Liverpool finally securing the France winger from PSG in a deal which could eventually cost £123 million.

Barcola joined an attack already containing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, giving Iraola another elite option despite the long-term injury suffered by Hugo Ekitiké.

Liverpool also strengthened elsewhere. Jeremy Jacquet arrived from Rennes for £60 million, Victor Muñoz joined from Osasuna and Ronald Araújo completed a loan move from Barcelona.

Their recruitment was not only focused on the immediate future.

Goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans was signed from Genk ahead of a planned 2027 arrival, while Ifeanyi Ndukwe joined before being loaned to Levante.

The changes were just as dramatic in the opposite direction.

Mohamed Salah’s contract was terminated before he joined Trabzonspor, bringing his remarkable nine-year spell at Anfield to an end.

Andy Robertson left for Tottenham and Ibrahima Konaté signed for Real Madrid after their contracts expired. Curtis Jones also ended his long association with Liverpool by completing a £30 million move to Inter Milan.

There was also late uncertainty around Cody Gakpo, who attracted serious interest from Man City and Tottenham. Liverpool considered adding another right-winger but ultimately kept the Dutch international after failing to land Ismaïla Sarr.

The English deadline has now passed, but Liverpool have added one more name to their long-term plans.

Liverpool agree pre-January deal to sign Djylian N’Guessan

Indeed, the club have now officially announced an agreement to sign French wonderkid Djylian N’Guessan from Saint-Étienne.

N’Guessan will become a Liverpool player permanently in January, and the 18-year-old has joined Brest on loan for the remainder of this season, giving him an opportunity to gain further Ligue 1 experience before moving to England.

The reported fee is around £4.3 million, although Liverpool didn't disclose the financial details in their statement.

N’Guessan came through Saint-Étienne’s academy and made his senior debut at 16, with the teenager making 13 first-team appearances and scoring one goal for the French club.

His record for France at youth level is far more eye-catching.

The striker scored 12 times in 14 appearances for the Under-16s before helping himself to 11 goals in 11 matches for the Under-17s.

He also struck four times as France reached the 2025 Euro Under-17 Championship final. Although Portugal won the trophy, N’Guessan was selected in UEFA’s Team of the Tournament.

N’Guessan later featured at the Under-20 World Cup, where France finished fourth, and there is also a strong English football connection in his family.

His father, Dany N’Guessan, spent much of his career in the EFL.

The former forward represented Boston United, Lincoln City, Leicester City, Scunthorpe United, Southampton, Millwall, Charlton Athletic, Swindon Town, Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers.

Djylian will now attempt to build his own reputation. Liverpool are unlikely to rush him, but his movement, versatility and goalscoring record explain why they have moved early.

Brest success could accelerate that carefully planned route to Anfield.