Championship side Preston North End are in talks to sign 20-year-old Liverpool striker Layton Stewart, beating three League One sides to the signature, as reported by The Liverpool Echo.
The Championship outfit are reportedly discussing a permanent move for the forward. However, a temporary switch does remain a possibility for Stewart. Due to the developing transfer, the 20-year-old did not travel with the under-21 side for their pre-season fixture with National League side Kidderminster Harriers on Friday evening.
Preston have already brought in attacking reinforcements, signing Will Keane from relegated side Wigan Athletic but the club look to strengthen their options for their forward line, with Ched Evans and Emil Riis still on the recovery trail from their injuries. Preston boss Ryan Lowe has a history of bringing the best out in young forwards during Championship loan spells, most notably Cameron Archer of Aston Villa in recent years.
At the beginning of July, it was reported by Football Insider that Stewart had become a target for multiple League One clubs, with Barnsley, Blackpool and Northampton all interested in taking the forward on loan, a move which Liverpool felt was the next step for the youngster’s development, it seems now that Preston have beat all three to the capture of Stewart.
If Stewart were to join on loan, it would mark his first loan spell from Liverpool, who he has been with since the age of seven, drawing comparisons to Liverpool legends such as Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler in his teenage years. He was handed his first senior appearance for the Reds last season, as Jurgen Klopp named him in the starting XI in November against Derby County in the Carabao Cup.
The forward spent over a year on the sidelines after an ACL injury in March 2021. Upon returning to the development team, he quickly began firing on all cylinders again, with 11 goals in 17 appearances in the Premier League 2 last season, which saw him rewarded with his first senior appearance for the Premier League giants.
Writer’s View
It is difficult to see Liverpool agreeing to sell the young player. If they were to, you would have to imagine a buyback clause would be included. If Stewart is going to depart on loan, Preston is certainly a suitable destination for him with Ryan Lowe’s track record of developing young talents.
