Liverpool have already secured their first signing of the January transfer window, with Djylian N'Guessan set to join the club on a permanent basis. The Reds agreed a deal with Saint-Etienne in September to sign the 18-year-old forward for £4.25m, but the move only becomes official when the window opens.
Until then, N'Guessan has been on loan at Ligue 1 side Stade Brestois for the first half of the season. His game time has been limited, however, with three substitute appearances totalling 28 minutes and five outings as an unused substitute. He has not played since a four-minute cameo in a 5-1 win over Angers on October 10.
International Debut for France Under-19s
Despite limited club action, N'Guessan was back on the pitch for France Under-19s on Wednesday, scoring in a 6-0 victory over Norway. He headed home a cross in the 69th minute for his country's fifth goal before being substituted. The match marked his debut at that level, though he previously helped France Under-20s finish fourth at last year's World Cup under former Liverpool winger Bernard Diomede.
His youth record is notable, with 23 goals in 25 games for France U16s and U17s, including four at the 2025 European Under-17 Championship where France lost the final to Portugal. His performances earned him a place in the team of the tournament.
Impact on Will Wright's Future
Liverpool will review N'Guessan's situation in January, and his limited minutes in France could have an impact on the in-form Will Wright at Anfield. Wright has scored 13 goals in 12 games for the U21s in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, as well as for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League, where he is joint-top scorer with six goals after hat-tricks against LASK and Fenerbahce.
Wright earned his first international appearance on Wednesday, coming on as a substitute in England U19s' 4-1 win over Slovenia. U21s manager Rob Page has suggested the striker could depart on loan in January to continue his development.
"He doesn't have to worry about [how far away he is from the first team]," Page said. "Just bring the best version of yourself every day in training, give absolutely everything in games as he does. The rest will take care of itself, whether it's something in January, whether it's keeping with us and the 21s, whether it's our first team, he cannot control it but he can control a game day and at the minute he's in a great place."
If Wright moves out on loan, N'Guessan could step in as a replacement at Liverpool. He already has senior experience, having made eight appearances for Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 season and five more in all competitions the following season, scoring his first senior goal in a Coupe de France clash with Quentigny.
N'Guessan needs game time, and with Wright thriving in Liverpool's youth ranks, a one-in, one-out approach could serve both players as the club decides on their next steps.
