Liverpool to sanction another permanent exit as Hollywood owners poised for transfer battle

Birmingham City and Wrexham are gearing up for a transfer battle over Liverpool's young talent Lewis Koumas. The two Championship clubs are at the forefront of a lengthy list of potential suitors for Koumas, who has become a hot property following a successful loan stint in the second tier with Stoke City last season.

Sheffield United has maintained a keen interest in the player throughout the year, while Norwich City, Preston North End and Hull City are also monitoring the situation.

However, it's Birmingham, partially owned by American Football icon Tom Brady, and Wrexham, under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney since 2020, who are leading the pursuit for Koumas.

Both clubs are believed to be ready to offer a permanent deal to the 19-year-old, who netted on his senior Liverpool debut in the FA Cup victory over Southampton in February of the previous year.

Koumas, who was on the bench for Liverpool's League Cup final triumph over Chelsea in 2023/24, has made 50 senior appearances and has also earned six full Wales caps.

Liverpool views the forward as being further along in his development than a player like Bobby Clark was when he departed Anfield for RB Salzburg in a $13.5 million deal last year.

With the emergence of Rio Ngumoha from the Academy in the past nine months, first-team opportunities for Koumas were limited during pre-season to a second-half appearance at Preston and a brief cameo in the opening friendly against Athletic Bilbao.

Koumas is anticipated to depart before the transfer deadline and was notably absent from the under-21s' Premier League 2 defeat at Leicester City on Monday.

James McConnell and Kaide Gordon were also missing, with both nearing a loan departure.

McConnell is leaning towards a Championship move, with West Bromwich Albion and Ipswich Town showing interest, although Sturm Graz of Austria, who are currently chasing the Champions League, are the most intrigued.

Gordon, on the other hand, has caught the attention of Championship pair Swansea City and Derby County, the latter being his former club before he transferred to Liverpool in 2021.

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