Report: Liverpool are in the race to sign 17-year-old forward

Liverpool’s need for wide attacking depth is becoming increasingly relevant. With Mohamed Salah’s long term future uncertain and Arne Slot’s side heading towards another crucial summer window, the club’s recruitment team are right to assess younger, high ceiling options.

Pietuszewski fits that model. His output is impressive, but his wider profile is arguably even more interesting. Record’s report highlights his average of 6.42 dribbles per match, along with roughly nine duels won per game. That blend of technical bravery and competitive edge will appeal to Premier League clubs looking for more than raw flair.

Liverpool have already been linked with wide forwards such as Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, but Pietuszewski represents a different type of opportunity. He is earlier in his development, potentially cheaper than established elite targets for now, and playing for a club renowned for developing and selling talent at premium prices.

Photo: IMAGO

Newcastle Interest Raises Pressure

Newcastle’s arrival in the race changes the dynamic. Their recruitment has become increasingly aggressive, particularly around young, high potential players who can appreciate sharply in value.

That matters because Porto are unlikely to be passive. Record state that the Portuguese club want to extend Pietuszewski’s contract from January 2029 to June 2031 and increase his release clause beyond its current €60 million figure, around £52 million.

Porto paid €8 million for the winger, with a further €2 million in bonuses and a 10% sell on clause owed to Jagiellonia. That structure gives them every reason to protect their asset before the market gathers pace.

Release Clause Could Define Summer Race

Pietuszewski turns 18 on May 20, when a longer term contract can legally be signed. That date may prove significant.

If Liverpool are serious, timing will matter. Porto’s recent handling of Rodrigo Mora, whose clause rose to €70 million, suggests they know exactly how to control value. For Liverpool, this is less about rushing into a deal and more about deciding whether Pietuszewski is one of the next elite wide forwards worth moving early for.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this is exactly the type of link that feels intriguing rather than obvious. Pietuszewski is not the finished article, and nobody should pretend that 13 appearances in Portugal automatically translate into Premier League readiness. Yet Liverpool have built some of their smartest recruitment work around spotting traits before the price explodes.

The dribbling numbers stand out. Liverpool have lacked enough wide players who can consistently beat a man from a standing start, especially when matches become slow and compact. If Pietuszewski really is averaging 6.42 dribbles per game and winning around nine duels, that suggests personality as much as talent. Anfield tends to respond to that.

The concern, naturally, is price. Porto are experts at turning promise into major fees, and once Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Bayern Munich are circling, value can disappear quickly. Liverpool cannot afford to chase every fashionable teenager at inflated prices.

Still, this feels like the right market to explore. Salah’s eventual succession plan cannot be solved with one signing, and Slot needs a squad with pace, unpredictability and long term growth. Pietuszewski may not be the headline name, but he is one worth tracking closely.