European Giant Set to Poach Young Star: EFL Clubs to Miss Out

European Giant Set to Poach Young Star: EFL Clubs to Miss Out

West Brom, Ipswich Town, and Derby County are all set to miss out on Liverpool youngster James McConnell to European giants Ajax on loan, according to the72.

At the age of 20, James McConnell has made 13 appearances for Liverpool since 2023, making his debut in the Europa League back in October 2023 under Jurgen Klopp. Since then, the England U20 international has made 13 appearances for Liverpool sine 2023, and was part of their famous Carabao Cup triumph against Chelsea back in 2023.

Operating primarily as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, McConnell has been a stalwart for Liverpool in the PL 2. His fine form and high potential has led to him signing a new 5 year contract with the Merseyside club, and it is no surprise that he is attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

❗️James McConnell signed a new 5 year contract with Liverpool, and is now joining for Ajax on loan.

— @David_Ornstein pic.twitter.com/9soEwXn3pM

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 26, 2025

A Blow for the EFL Clubs?

After Ipswich Town's relegation to the Championship, the club are looking to bounce back at the first time of asking to the pinnacle of English Football. This window, the club have lost their captain Sam Morsy as well as veteran midfielder Massimo Luongo. In addition to this, they have also lost star players Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson. Ipswich have added former England international Ashley Young to their defence, however one may feel the side could do with an engine in the midfield to replace the two departing midfielders. Kieran McKenna is looking to add a bright spark to rejuvenate the Tractor Boys, and the central midfield position is pivotal to this.

West Brom have come out firing so far in the Championship, winning their first 2 games and drawing to Stoke in the previous weekend. However, as has been the case in their previous seasons, the club may lack that cutting edge to push them into a serious promotion charge, hence why a central midfield signing would be a perfect acquisition.

Derby County appear to have gained some much needed stability as a club over the past two seasons since being promoted back into the Championship. With the side looking to push on, a central midfield option such as James McConnell would have been a shrewd acquisition for the Rams, helping them invigorate their midfield.

What to Expect

With these three EFL Clubs all set to miss out on James McConnell to Ajax, we can expect them all to begin looking elsewhere in the talent pool before Monday's transfer deadline.

McConnell is one of the bright prospects in the future of English football, and like many before him, a loan spell at Ajax could be the catalyst that sparks the start of his career.