A former Liverpool striker is nearing a deadline day move to League One side AFC Wimbledon.
Wimbledon are looking to ensure they don’t end the season in the League One relegation zone.
They are currently one point above 21st-place Burton Albion, but have played a game less than the majority of the teams below them.
With League One safety a priority for manager Johnnie Jackson, they have been linked with a move for former Liverpool and Preston North End striker, Layton Stewart.
AFC Wimbledon Make Approach for Layton Stewart
Pete O’Rourke has confirmed that the League One side are working on a deal to bring Stewart back to England.
The 23-year-old is currently playing in Switzerland for FC Thun. He joined the Swiss Super League club last summer, after a successful loan spell at the club from Preston.
The forward came through the Liverpool academy and made one appearance for the senior side.
Stewart went on to join Preston, playing 16 times, failing to score in any of those appearances.
Stewart Ready for a Return to England?
Like so many youngsters in elite academies, Stewart failed to break into the senior side and found himself on the move.
Sadly, his move to Preston didn’t work either, but his loan spell in the 2024/25 season was enough to convince Thun to make the move permanent.
In that season, he played in the Challenge League, which is the second tier in Switzerland. Stewart played 15 times, starting 12 of those and scoring four times as Thun won the league. He received an average Sofascore rating of 6.87 for his displays.
The attacker ended that campaign with an average of 0.9 shots per game and 0.4 shots on target per game. He also had a goal conversion of 29%.
Playing in the top tier in Switzerland this season, he’s made just five substitute appearances, failing to score a goal.
A move away from the club appears to be sensible for Stewart and Thun. It allows him a chance to play first-team minutes and continue to develop.
He’s still only 23. If he can hit the ground running at the Dons, he could be a valuable asset for Wimbledon in the future.
