First priority for Liverpool’s transfer should be Arne Slot, as “$70m talks underway.”
Willian Pacho,the centre defender for Eintracht Frankfurt, is reportedly being linked to Liverpool.
Michael Edwards ought to give first attention to a left-sided defender.
It won’t be long until a number of Feyenoord players are connected to Liverpool transfers.
According to Arne Slot, negotiations are officially under way for him to succeed Jürgen Klopp as manager of the Reds.
Should he be appointed, it is inevitable that some of his present players will be considered as summer transfer targets.
However, Liverpool won’t sign somebody simply because its new manager knows them.
Actually, preparations for the summer’s demands will have started much earlier; the search for a new center-back will be conducted with the same rigour as that of the new manager.
Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt have reportedly started transfer negotiations for 22-year-old defender Willian Pacho, according to the French publication Foot Mercato.
Regarded as a ‘priority’ by the Reds, the Ecuadorian is reportedly valued at $70 million (£56 million/€65 million). Arsenal is also rumoured to be interested in him.
Why would Liverpool be so enthusiastic? To begin with, Michael Edwards’ first priority should be to sign a left-sided centre defender.
Liverpool will require a replacement for Joël Matip, who is departing as a free agent. Having a left-footed alternative should be the first priority because it would improve the team’s balance.
Pacho has a skill set that might be developed, and he is the ideal age to start—the same age as Ibrahima Konaté was when he transferred from RB Leipzig to Anfield.
He is tall, has a fair amount of aerial skill, is superb with the ball, and is an adept reader of the game.
If Liverpool agreed to spend up to $70 million on him, it would have been a heavy price to pay, but it makes sense to make a long-term investment in a player who might eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds captain will need to be rotated more frequently as he ages, so having a backup would be beneficial—especially in light of Konaté’s history of injuries.
Although his aerial duels might use some improvement, Pacho ranks rather strongly for most defensive aspects, according to FBref, ranking in the mid-80s percentile.
He has good passing and dribbling statistics when he has the ball. In terms of style, FBref’s model places him in the same league as Max Kilman (Wolves) and Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice).
The most crucial factor is that the person being targeted has a high enough ceiling to advance in a stronger squad.
Although it is unclear if Pacho has the potential to be at the level where Liverpool is willing to part with that much money, he looks to be a highly-rated player worth taking into consideration.