2S7XYMD Saint Etienne, France. 19th Jan, 2025. 63 Djylian NGUESSAN N GUESSAN (asse) during the Ligue 1 MCDonald's match between Saint Etienne and Nantes at Stade Geoffroy Guichard on January 19, 2025 in Saint Etienne, France. (Photo by Loic Baratoux/FEP/Icon Sport) Credit: Icon Sport/Alamy Live News
2S7XYMD Saint Etienne, France. 19th Jan, 2025. 63 Djylian NGUESSAN N GUESSAN (asse) during the Ligue 1 MCDonald's match between Saint Etienne and Nantes at Stade Geoffroy Guichard on January 19, 2025 in Saint Etienne, France. (Photo by Loic Baratoux/FEP/Icon Sport) Credit: Icon Sport/Alamy Live News
Djylian N’Guessan wasn’t on Liverpool fans’ radar as a potential signing, so who is the attacker that is set to join the club in 2027.
Having celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, N’Guessan is the latest player targeted by Liverpool to improve their future attacking options.
This Is Anfield understands the transfer is still being finalised but N’Guessan appears almost certain to sign.
He won’t join until 2027, though, so will have another year to develop at current club St Etienne, where he has come through the academy since the age of seven.
The club, who were beaten by Liverpool in a dramatic 1977 Champions League quarter-final comeback – think David Fairclough – are playing their football in Ligue 2, having been relegated in 2025.
Who is Djylian N’Guessan?
Primarily a striker, N’Guessan is the son of ex-Leicester, Lincoln and Millwall forward Dany N’Guessan.
The junior of the duo scored 12 goals in 14 games for France U16s, with his coach during that period, Lionel Rouxel, describing him to the Guardian as a mix between Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and Juventus forward Jonathan David.
Rouxel said: “He’s a player with two characteristics for the top level: he plays deep and moves quite well between the lines.
“Djylian is also a box player, who has progressed and is becoming a goalscorer.”
The forward was then named in the team of the tournament for France at the U17 Euros in 2025.
Player Profile: Djylian N’Guessan
Senior Debut: Jan, 2025Age: 18 (Jun 27, 2008)Height: 6’7″Birthplace: Saint-Nazaire, France
Club: St EtienneFirst-Team Apps (Goals): 13 (1)
The international tournament came at the end of the 2024/25 season, in which N’Guessan became St Etienne’s second youngest player ever, making eight appearances in the top flight.
However, they were relegated that year and subsequently failed to get out of the second division at the first time of asking.
Last season, St Etienne finished third in Ligue 2 as N’Guessan played a total of 147 minutes and scored once in the Coupe de France.
It was in the fifth tier where he impressed for St Etienne’s B team, starting six games in National 2 and bagging two goals.
?? Djylian N'Guessan in my opinion is a similar profile to Eli Junior Kroupi.
He’s a very technical player, who thrives between the lines but also very good at finding space inside the box.
On top of that he is an excellent finisher. Can use both his left and right foot… pic.twitter.com/bxJPY4eu40
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) August 31, 2026
The youngster is a versatile, right-footed forward who has tended to start up front but can play on both wings.
N’Guessan would not be an instant starter for Andoni Iraola next summer, instead joining the under-21s as the club assess his readiness for Premier League football.
In terms of potential signings who would improve Liverpool’s squad immediately, Crystal Palace‘s Ismaila Sarr and Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh are still being pursued.
Saint Etienne, France. 19th Jan, 2025. 63 Djylian NGUESSAN N GUESSAN (asse) during the Ligue 1 MCDonald’s match between Saint Etienne and Nantes at Stade Geoffroy Guichard on January 19, 2025 in Saint Etienne, France. (Photo by Loic Baratoux/FEP/Icon Spor
Saint Etienne, France. 19th Jan, 2025. 63 Djylian NGUESSAN N GUESSAN (asse) during the Ligue 1 MCDonald’s match between Saint Etienne and Nantes at Stade Geoffroy Guichard on January 19, 2025 in Saint Etienne, France. (Photo by Loic Baratoux/FEP/Icon Spor
Antwerp, Belgium. 03rd Apr, 2026. Genk’s goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans celebrates after winning a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KRC Genk, Friday 03 April 2026 in Antwerp, on the first day of the Europe Play-offs (PO 2) of the 2025-2026 ‘Jupiler P
Antwerp, Belgium. 03rd Apr, 2026. Genk’s goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans celebrates after winning a soccer match between Royal Antwerp FC and KRC Genk, Friday 03 April 2026 in Antwerp, on the first day of the Europe Play-offs (PO 2) of the 2025-2026 ‘Jupiler P
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