Liverpool set to make decision on forward move in January

Liverpool set to make decision on forward move in January Liverpool January Transfer Plans Take Shape with Djylian N’Guessan and Will Wright in Focus Liverpool’s next transfer window has already begun to come into view, and one piece of business is effectively in place before January even arrives. As Liverpool Echo reports, the club are due to complete the permanent arrival of Djylian N’Guessan from Saint-Etienne for £4.25 million when the winter market opens. It is an interesting development, particularly because it says plenty about how Liverpool’s recruitment department are trying to balance immediate needs with medium-term planning. N’Guessan, 18, has spent the first half of the campaign on loan with Brest, where minutes have been hard to come by. That lack of game time will naturally be part of Liverpool’s review once he officially joins, especially with Andoni Iraola and club staff assessing how best to handle a young forward still early in his development. There was at least an encouraging reminder of his potential during the international break. N’Guessan scored on his France Under-19 debut in a 6-0 win over Norway, another positive marker for a player whose youth record already stands out. His previous output for France at Under-16 and Under-17 level, along with his impact at the 2025 European Under-17 Championship, underlines why Liverpool moved early to secure him. Photo: IMAGO What happens next may have a wider effect inside the academy structure. Liverpool are expected to assess N’Guessan’s immediate pathway in January, and that could influence the situation of Will Wright. The 18-year-old has been one of the standout performers in the youth ranks this season, producing 13 goals in 12 appearances across Premier League 2, the EFL Trophy and the UEFA Youth League. Wright’s numbers have demanded attention. Six goals in the UEFA Youth League, including hat-tricks against LASK and Fenerbahce, have elevated his profile further, and his England Under-19 debut this week offered another sign that his progress is being noticed beyond Kirkby. This is where Liverpool’s winter planning becomes particularly compelling. N’Guessan arrives with pedigree and a transfer fee attached, Wright has momentum and form, and Iraola now has decisions to make over whether development is best served through internal promotion, a loan move, or a reshuffle of opportunities across the club’s young attacking options. January may not bring the biggest Liverpool headline of the season, but this is still a window that could shape the next phase for two highly-rated forwards. Our View This is exactly the sort of story worth watching closely, because it feels like more than a routine academy update. Liverpool have clearly seen something in Djylian N’Guessan, and paying £4.25 million for an 18-year-old forward suggests a level of belief that goes beyond simple squad filling. Even with limited minutes at Brest, the talent is there, and international performances can often reveal confidence that club football temporarily hides. At the same time, Will Wright is making a proper case for attention. When a young striker keeps scoring across different competitions, it becomes harder to view him as one for later. Liverpool need to be careful here. Bringing in another young attacker is fine, but the pathway has to remain credible for the players already delivering in the system. That is what makes January so intriguing. If N’Guessan is judged not quite ready for senior involvement, then a smart loan or tailored development plan makes sense. If Wright stays, there should be genuine thought given to how close he is to first-team exposure, especially in cup football or controlled opportunities. The bigger point is that Liverpool’s recruitment and academy work should complement each other. This situation feels like a test of that balance. Get it right, and the club could emerge from January with two exciting forwards in stronger positions than they are now.