Liverpool had been working to secure one of France’s promising young attacking talents after identifying Djylian N’Guessan as a player for the future.
The Reds reached an agreement with Saint-Etienne for the 18-year-old forward before the move was formally confirmed by the club.
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Liverpool’s interest in N’Guessan had emerged before the end of the summer transfer window, with the teenager already attracting attention for his performances at youth international level.
The forward had also progressed into Saint-Etienne’s first team after coming through the club’s academy.
The move was not expected to bring N’Guessan to Anfield immediately, with Liverpool and Saint-Etienne instead agreeing a pathway that would allow him to continue his development in France.
That plan became clearer when the player joined another Ligue 1 club on loan.
Liverpool have now officially confirmed the agreement, with N’Guessan set to join the Reds on a permanent transfer in January.
The club announced on Thursday that it had agreed a deal with Saint-Etienne for the French forward.
N’Guessan will spend the remainder of the 2026-27 season on loan at Stade Brestois. Saint-Etienne confirmed on September 3 that the forward had joined Brest on loan after extending his contract with his parent club until 2028, with the agreement containing no option to buy.
The arrangement means N’Guessan will remain in Ligue 1 for the rest of the campaign before his permanent move to Liverpool takes effect in January.
Liverpool’s announcement confirms that the player will officially join the club on a permanent transfer at that point, while his season-long loan at Brest continues.
N’Guessan has been with Saint-Etienne since 2015, progressing through the club’s football school, pre-academy and academy before reaching the senior team.
He made his professional debut in January 2025 and has made 13 appearances for Saint-Etienne’s first team, scoring once.
His development has also been reflected in his performances for France’s youth teams. N’Guessan scored 11 goals in 11 appearances for France Under-17s and was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2025 European Under-17 Championship.
He scored four goals during that tournament and was subsequently selected in the Team of the Tournament. France lost 3-0 to Portugal in the final.
N’Guessan later progressed to France Under-20 level and featured at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup. He made seven appearances as France finished fourth in the tournament.
The forward’s immediate priority will now be his loan spell with Brest, where he will continue playing in Ligue 1 during the 2026-27 campaign.
His temporary move has no purchase option, ensuring that Saint-Etienne’s agreement with Liverpool remains the route to his next permanent club.
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