Liverpool and Everton Target Stuttgart's Jamie Leweling
Liverpool are weighing up one last attacking move of the window – and it could put them on a collision course with neighbours Everton.
Both Merseyside clubs are keen on Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling, with Sky Deutschland reporting that Liverpool have explored a late deal for the versatile attacker as the deadline looms. Everton, for their part, have already put a concrete proposal on the table.
Leweling, who can operate across the entire frontline, is one of the most in-demand players in the Stuttgart squad. He delivered 23 goal contributions in 50 competitive games last season, a return that has made him a focal point of VfB’s plans and a target for clubs looking for immediate attacking impact.
Stuttgart, though, are under no pressure to sell. The German outlet stresses that Leweling has not made a decision on his future, with staying put still very much on the cards. What is not in doubt is the level of interest: Stuttgart expect more offers to land before Tuesday’s cut-off.
Gakpo stays, big right-wing move shelved
Liverpool’s attacking plans had been shaped around one major “what if”: Cody Gakpo to Manchester City.
The Premier League champions lodged an £85m bid for the Dutchman, and Gakpo had accepted the move. Liverpool, though, shut the door. Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano revealed on Monday that the club decided to keep Gakpo after failing to line up a replacement, rejecting City’s offer and effectively shelving the prospect of another blockbuster right-wing signing this window.
That decision has recalibrated Liverpool’s approach. Any move for Leweling would be opportunistic rather than the centrepiece of their summer.
Senior winger unlikely – youth the real theme
Despite the late noise from Germany, the expectation around Anfield is that Liverpool will not add another established wide player.
In a joint report for The Athletic, Gregg Evans and James Pearce state that Liverpool are “unlikely to make another senior addition” on the wings before the deadline. The club’s big attacking outlay has already arrived: Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais for £55m, Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34.5m, Bradley Barcola from PSG for £106m, plus a loan for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and a £2.57m deal for Austria Vienna’s Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Instead, the late business is expected to be future-focused.
Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans is close to joining from Genk in a deal worth €33m, with plans to loan him straight back to the Belgian club for the rest of the season – unless there is unexpected late movement involving Giorgi Mamardashvili.
On the flanks, Liverpool are pushing to sign another 18-year-old, Saint-Etienne winger Djylian N’Guessan. A fee of around €5m has been agreed for the France under-20 international, who is scheduled to link up with Liverpool next summer rather than immediately.
So the picture is clear. Liverpool’s senior squad looks largely locked in, Gakpo stays, and the big cheques now lean towards tomorrow’s stars.
The only real twist left? Whether they choose to crash Everton’s pursuit of Leweling and ignite one last flashpoint in this window’s Merseyside rivalry.
