Newcastle United Target Leanne Kiernan from Liverpool

Newcastle United are closing in on a statement signing, with talks at an advanced stage to bring Republic of Ireland forward Leanne Kiernan from Liverpool.

The 27-year-old still has more than a year left on her Liverpool deal, so any agreement will require a fee – a clear sign of intent from a second-tier club determined to accelerate their rise.

Kiernan spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, searching for minutes and rhythm after a frustrating spell on the fringes at Liverpool. She started just once in the WSL under Gareth Taylor before heading out in January, a stark contrast to the influence she once held on Merseyside.

Because at her peak in red, she was decisive. Signed in 2019 and extended in 2025, Kiernan has scored 23 goals in 76 appearances for Liverpool, spearheading their charge to the WSL 2 title in 2022. That season she finished as the club’s top scorer with 14 goals, driving them back into the top flight and underlining her value as a ruthless finisher at Championship level.

Newcastle know exactly what that profile looks like. They are building a squad to win now, not simply to compete.

The club have already made six additions in a busy window as they gear up for a serious tilt at the WSL 2 title. Adding Kiernan would give them something different at the top end of the pitch: experience, movement, and a proven record of scoring in this division.

Her journey to this point has been steady and hard-earned. Before Liverpool, Kiernan broke through at Shelbourne, then moved to West Ham, where she made more than 40 WSL appearances and adapted quickly to the demands of English football. On the international stage, she has been a regular presence for the Republic of Ireland since her debut in 2017, collecting 38 caps and offering versatility across the front line.

At Liverpool, the landscape has shifted. Competition has intensified, particularly in attack. The arrival this summer of Germany forward Vivien Endemann from Wolfsburg has added another obstacle to regular game time for Kiernan, tightening the squeeze on her opportunities.

So the move makes sense for all parties. Liverpool can reshape a crowded forward department. Newcastle gain a forward with pedigree and promotion know-how. Kiernan gets the platform to become a focal point again rather than a squad option.

For a club with Newcastle’s ambitions, these are the deals that change expectations. If they get it over the line, they won’t just be signing a goal threat. They’ll be adding a player who already knows what it takes to climb out of this division – and who may yet become the face of their push to join the WSL elite.