Liverpool Open Talks to Sign 18-Year-Old Genk Goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans as Mamardashvili Exit Looms

Liverpool have reached out to Belgian club Genk about signing teenage goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, according to transfer reporters covering the story.

The move comes just as talk swirls around current Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili possibly leaving for Nottingham Forest before the transfer window shuts. Forest are said to have asked about the 25-year-old, though that claim has been pushed back on by at least one reporter close to the club.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri says Liverpool see Brughmans as a possible long-term replacement for Mamardashvili. He reports that the club is "convinced" by the 18-year-old's potential, and that Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on him. Fabrizio Romano backed this up, saying real club-to-club talks with Genk have already started. 

🔴🦅 EXCL - Liverpool FC has targeted Lucca Brughmans to replace Giorgi Mamardashvili!

🔵🇧🇪 Also on FC Bayern Munich's radar, the Reds are convinced by the future potential of the 2.00m-tall Belgian goalkeeper.

⌛️ Talks underway. #transfermarket #JPL #LFC pic.twitter.com/EPvLUHue18

— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 30, 2026

According to Romano, Liverpool are still working out whether to sign Brughmans right away, in case Mamardashvili does head to Forest, or wait until next summer instead. Either way, he says a deal between the clubs looks doable.

🚨🔴 Liverpool have made official club to club contact with Genk to sign Lucca Brughmans as new goalkeeper.#LFC assessing whether to sign Brughmans for now if Mamardashvili goes to Nottingham Forest or eventually joining from 2027.

Deal on between clubs - follows… pic.twitter.com/UYlCLZaFe6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2026

So Who Is This Kid?

Brughmans isn't a big name yet, but he's already turning heads. He's a massive 6'7" and has played for Belgium at five different youth levels, racking up 25 caps between the U15s and U19s. He's also picked up 15 senior appearances for Genk, keeping six clean sheets along the way, so he wouldn't be arriving totally green.

Even so, letting Mamardashvili go this late in the window carries real risk if an 18-year-old is lined up to step straight into his boots. 

Nottingham Forest target Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili

Liverpool's current number one, Alisson, has dealt with recurring injuries in recent seasons, and leaning on Brughmans and Freddie Woodman to cover for him wouldn't be an easy ask. Alisson's contract also runs out next year, which could mark the end of his time at the club.

Brughmans is clearly building a name for himself, with both Liverpool and Bayern circling. But it might make more sense for Liverpool to wait until next summer to bring him in, by which point Mamardashvili's future may already be settled.