Newcastle Target Liverpool Striker Leanne Kiernan
Newcastle United are pushing hard to land Republic of Ireland striker Leanne Kiernan from Liverpool, with talks understood to be at an advanced stage as the ambitious second-tier club look to arm themselves for a title charge.
Kiernan, 27, still has more than a year left on her Liverpool deal, so Newcastle will have to pay to get this done. That alone underlines how serious they are. This is not a bargain-bin opportunity at the end of a contract; this is a targeted move for a proven goalscorer.
A Proven Finisher on the Move
Kiernan has spent five years at Liverpool, signing an extension in 2025 and becoming a key figure in their rise. Her numbers are solid: 23 goals in 76 appearances for the Reds, with one season in particular standing out.
In 2021-22, she drove Liverpool to the WSL 2 title, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 14 goals. That campaign re-established her as one of the most dangerous forwards outside the top flight, a player who thrives when trusted to lead the line.
Her journey to Merseyside had already taken in a strong spell at West Ham, where she made more than 40 WSL appearances after emerging at Shelbourne. By the time she arrived at Liverpool, she was already hardened by top-level experience rather than simply a prospect with promise.
International Pedigree, Club Frustration
On the international stage, Kiernan has long been part of the Republic of Ireland setup. Since her debut in 2017, she has earned 38 caps, a reflection of her consistency and reliability at the highest level.
Yet while her status with Ireland has remained strong, her club minutes at Liverpool have dwindled. Under Gareth Taylor, she struggled to secure a regular starting role, beginning just one WSL match before heading out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January for the second half of last season.
That loan hinted at a crossroads. Kiernan needed games; Liverpool were reshaping their attack.
This summer, the squeeze tightened. Liverpool moved again in the market, bringing in Germany forward Vivien Endemann from Wolfsburg, adding fresh competition in the very area where Kiernan once led the charge. The message was clear: opportunities would be limited.
Newcastle’s Statement Window
Newcastle have sensed the opening. With six signings already through the door in a busy window, they are not simply looking to consolidate in WSL 2; they are gearing up to attack it.
Kiernan fits that plan perfectly. She offers pace, work rate and, crucially, a record of delivering in a promotion campaign. For a club eyeing the WSL 2 title, that kind of experience is gold.
If Newcastle get this over the line, they won’t just be adding depth. They will be adding a forward who has led a team out of this division before and who arrives with international calibre and a point to prove.
For Kiernan, it would be a reset. For Newcastle, it could be the signing that turns an ambitious project into a genuine promotion force.
