Liverpool have joined the race to sign in-demand Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who has caught the eye at the World Cup, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Patrick Berger.
New manager Andoni Iraola is expected to be heavily backed in the transfer window this summer after replacing Arne Slot. The Spaniard will be keen on strengthening in midfield, given the issues that arose last season.
Uncertainty continues to grow over Alexis Mac Allister’s future after an underwhelming campaign. The Merseysiders are reportedly prepared to sell the Argentine midfielder, and this could play a role in a potential pursuit of Nmecha.
The German has enjoyed a superb World Cup campaign thus far, playing in all three of his nation’s group games. He has already registered one goal and two assists with the world watching.
Nmecha isn’t the only midfielder who has been linked with Liverpool, as they are also eyeing Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. The Reds spent around £449million last summer but still have money to spend ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Liverpool battle Manchester United for Nmecha signing
While Berger claims that Manchester United are “stepping up their pursuit” of Nmecha, he also names Liverpool as one of four clubs keeping tabs on him. Manchester City and Real Madrid are monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation.
Nmecha is said to be “happy at Dortmund” and “fully focused on the World Cup“, but a move to the Premier League is viewed as a “realistic option.” He has previously played in England, starting his career at City before leaving for VfL Wolfsburg on a free back in July 2021.
A major stumbling block is Dortmund’s valuation of the Germany international, as they reportedly set a £104m price tag, per BILD. That is a huge fee and one that would see him become the third most expensive player in Liverpool’s history.
The Reds forked out £116m to sign Nmecha’s German teammate Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. They followed that up with the British transfer record signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for £125m.
Liverpool will have to pay a big price to sign Nmecha
There’s much to like about Nmecha, a mainstay in Dortmund’s midfield last season. He boasts a versatile profile, able to operate as a central and defensive midfielder.
Rightfully dubbed “underrated”, he is starting to earn recognition for his consistency in the Bundesliga and now on the biggest stage at the World Cup. He’s already familiarised with English football, which could come in handy if Liverpool win the race for his signature.
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The main issue is the asking price, as spending over £100m will take a large chunk out of the Reds’ summer transfer budget. There are other areas of Iraola’s squad that need addressing, including out wide as they look to replace Mohamed Salah.
Yan Diomande is the top choice to replace Salah, and the club has already had an initial £86.2 million proposal rejected. They reportedly intend to return with a new offer of around £103.4m.
Is there a better way to announce yourself than on football’s biggest stage than by scoring at the World Cup?
Being able to deliver for one’s country at such a young age is an early marker of star power. The ability to shrug off the pressure and take the nation’s destiny by the scruff of the neck is a special quality to behold.
There have been plenty of teenage starlets who have been selected for the World Cup, but the chance to step up and take a central role is an opportunity afforded to very few players. Even if the trust and belief is there, most young players only get to play in one World Cup as a teenager before they enter their peak years.
Such is the rarity of crowning a record young World Cup goalscorer, the top 20 list is composed of modern additions as well as players dating back to the earliest editions of the tournament. Here are the class of young players who managed to immortalise themselves before their football careers had ever really begun.
20-11
Youngest World Cup Goalscorers (20-11)
No.
Name
Country
Age
World Cup
20
Ronald Gonzalez
Costa Rica
19 years and 319 days
Italy 1990
19
Mazzola
Brazil
19 years and 288 days
Sweden 1958
18
Moussa Wague
Senegal
19 years and 263 days
Russia 2018
17
Edmund Conen
Germany
19 years and 198 days
Italy 1934
16
Kylian Mbappé
France
19 years and 183 days
Russia 2018
15
Tostao
Brazil
19 years and 171 days
England 1966
14
Jude Bellingham
England
19 years and 145 days
Qatar 2022
13
Martin Hoffmann
East Germany
19 years and 88 days
Germany 1974
12
Divock Origi
Belgium
19 years and 65 days
Brazil 2014
11
Julian Green
USA
19 years and 25 days
Brazil 2014
10
Lionel Messi, Argentina
18 years and 357 days
It feels very apt to begin the top 10 with Lionel Messi. The Argentine ace needed just 13 minutes to score his first World Cup goal, opening his account at the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro. The 2022 World Cup winner went on to break the record for the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer at the 2026 tournament 20 years later.
GIVEMESPORT looks at the top 10 World Cup goalscorers in history, featuring Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo.
9
Lamine Yamal, Spain
18 years and 343 days
The Spanish wonderkid is often, unsurprisingly, compared to Messi. And Barcelona’s new prodigy scored his first World Cup goal in the group stage of the 2026 tournament, doing so just two weeks younger than his Argentinian predecessor. The goal announces Lamine Yamal on the global stage and is sure to be the first of many for his native Spain.
8
Kerim Alajbegovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
18 years and 276 days
After scoring on his international debut last year, Kerim Alajbegovic delivered another huge moment at the 2026 World Cup that betrays his youth. The Bayer Leverkusen-bound winger scored in the 3-1 victory over Qatar, helping his nation to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in its history.
7
Dmitri Sychev, Russia
18 years and 231 days
In appearing for Russia at the 2002 World Cup, Dmitri Sychev became the youngest ever player to represent his country. And nine days after breaking that record, he became the country’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer with his goal against Belgium. Russia disappointingly crashed out at the group stage, but Sychev was a bright spark, adding three assists to his record-breaking goal at the tournament.
Russia have had some iconic players over the years.
6
Nicolae Kovacs, Romania
18 years and 197 days
The Romanian forward made history when he scored against Peru in the group stage of the 1930 World Cup. Nicolae Kovacs’ goal made him the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s short history until he was surpassed by Mexico’s Manuel Rosas just five days later.
5
Michael Owen, England
18 years and 190 days
Michael Owen‘s breakout 1997-98 season for Liverpool gave England fans a reason to be excited, and the striker justified that with a record-breaking goal at the 1998 World Cup. Coming off the bench against Romania, Owen scored to become England’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer and the then third-youngest overall. However, his incredible solo goal against Argentina is the moment he is best remembered for at the 1998 World Cup.
4
Ibrahim Mbaye, Senegal
18 years and 143 days
Paris Saint Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye’s stock has been quietly growing over the past two seasons, and the stars seemed to align for the Senegalese striker at the 2026 World Cup. 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute, Mbaye struck against France, the country he represented from U16 to U20 level before switching to Senegal. In doing so, he became both Senegal and Africa’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer.
3
Gavi, Spain
18 years and 110 days
Barcelona’s midfield maestro Gavi is the highest non-attacking entry on the list, but his inclusion is symbolic of the Spaniard’s great promise. After impressing for Barcelona, Gavi began to feature more and more for Spain following his first call-up in 2021. He then rewarded manager Luis Enrique’s trust by scoring his record-breaking goal against Costa Rica in their opening group game.
2
Manuel Rosas, Mexico
18 years and 93 days
Mexico’s Manuel Rosas broke a number of records at the inaugural World Cup — some sought after, some not. Against Chile, Rosas scored the first ever own goal at the World Cup. But just three days later against eventual runners-up Argentina, he scored the first ever World Cup penalty and became the youngest ever goalscorer at the World Cup. Rosas was also Mexico’s youngest ever World Cup representative until he was surpassed by Gilberto Mora at the 2026 tournament.
1
Pele, Brazil
17 years and 239 days
REUTERS
Pele’s impressive benchmark remains unbeaten after almost 70 years. Incredibly, he is the only player on the list under the age of 18. Breaking into an offensively blessed Brazil side that included Jose Alfatini, Garrincha, and Vava, among others, Pele justified his inclusion with a star-making goal. After missing the beginning of the tournament through injury, the Brazilian made his record-setting mark against Wales in the quarterfinals. He would go on to add a hat-trick in the semifinals and a brace in the final, beating hosts Sweden 5-2.
Rangers have set their sights on Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and are preparing a swap deal for the Croatian, according to Alan Nixon.
Pandur has emerged as a target as the Gers look to add a senior shot-stopper to new manager Derek McInnes’ squad. They are said to have also explored a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, but are now focused on Hull’s number one.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Tigers, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He has been at MKM Stadium since January 2024 and has just one year left on his contract.
Rangers Ready Swap Deal For Pandur
Nixon claims on Patreon that Rangers don’t want to pay Hull’s £10million asking price for Pandur. Instead, they are willing to send Jack Butland in the opposite direction.
The 33-year-old was Danny Rohl’s number one throughout last season, appearing 55 times across competitions. A player plus cash deal could appeal to the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Pandur is currently on international duty with Croatia at the World Cup but could be on the move during the tournament. McInnes will expect to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Croat could be the first of many new faces to arrive at Ibrox.
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell as a potential Maxence Lacroix replacement, according to Alan Nixon.
Lacroix looks likely to be headed for the exit door at Selhurst Park as Chelsea look to sign the French centre-back. Fabrizio Romano reports that the west London outfit have started talks to bring the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Palace sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January for £20m, and losing Lacroix will be a massive blow. He’s been a rock in central defence ever since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18m.
Newly-appointed Eagles boss Pierre Sage will have been keen on working with the player who earned a call-up to France’s squad for the World Cup. Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs appear to be putting plans in place to try to deal with his exit and could turn to Cresswell.
New Crystal Palace boss is a big fan of Cresswell
Nixon reports on his Patreon that Palace are “looking into a deal for Cresswell” and Sage is a “big fan.” He’ll have come up against the former Leeds United man during his time coaching Lens and Lyon in Ligue 1.
Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds back in July 2024 for £3.8m, and he’s been a mainstay in the French team ever since. Last season, he made 32 appearances across competitions, even posting four goals and three assists.
Palace could sign the former England U21 international “if the price is right,” and he’s viewed as an ideal replacement for Lacroix. His powerful profile and “warrior” playing style could be a good fit.
Palace may not reinvest Lacroix money at all
There is a possibility that the South London outfit sticks with their current options. Chadi Riad has been excellent since returning from injury and has been a standout performer for Morocco at the World Cup.
Jaydee Canvot stepped up following Guehi’s departure and earned a regular starting berth in Oliver Glasner’s side. He partnered Lacroix and the always consistent Chris Richards in defence.
Cresswell could be a solid addition to Sage’s squad, but shouldn’t be viewed as a priority. A previous report from The Athletic claims that Toulouse values the player at around £26m after rebuffing an offer from Wolfsburg in January.
Palace could be aided by their relationship with the Ligue 1 club, from whom they signed Canvot last summer. They paid £23m for the young French centre-back and might be able to draw on prior business between the two clubs.
