Liverpool have reportedly chosen their primary summer transfer target for the incoming manager.
Most of the talk in the build-up to the summer transfer window has rightly been dominated by Liverpool’s search to replace Jurgen Klopp.
But with just over three weeks of the season now remaining, FSG finally look to have found their man. Talks are set to continue with Feyenoord over a fee for Arne Slot.
In the meantime, preparations will also rumble on for the transfer market. The past few weeks have made it clear that Liverpool badly need some upgrades to their first-team squad.
One of those improvements surely needs to be made in defence. And it now looks as though Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have sorted out who they want to bring in.
Liverpool want Willian Pacho
It it hadn’t already been clear enough, then Wednesday night’s defeat against Everton proved it beyond all doubt: Liverpool need a new centre-back.
Jamie Carragher said it outright after loss at Goodison Park. Ibrahima Konate has not been good enough when the Reds have really needed him.
Of course, that shouldn’t negate all the good Konate has done in a Liverpool shirt and indeed this season. By and large the Frenchman has had a really good campaign and should still be considered as the future of the defence.
But the fact is that Konate is injured too much. And with Joel Matip on his way out and Virgil van Dijk not getting any younger, Liverpool need an outside hire.
Thankfully, according to journalist Ginaluca Di Marzio, they’re trying to make that happen. Di Marzio claims on his website, gianlucadimarzio.com, that Liverpool’s ‘priority’ addition is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Willian Pacho.
The journalist reports that the Reds are working on upgrading their squad alongside negotiations for a new manager. And with that in mind they have reportedly identified the need for a left-footed centre-back. Pacho is said to be the man who has most caught their eye as being the ‘right profile.’
Who is Willian Pacho
This isn’t the first time Liverpool’s interest in Pacho has been reported on in the media recently. But we’d have to say that it’s the most substantial link so far.
In terms of what Edwards usually looks for in a player, the 22-year-old certainly ticks the boxes. Not 23 until October, he’s still young enough to improve much further, but already has over 130 senior games under his belt.
Capped 10 times by Ecuador, Pacho is also a full international. Having made the step from South America to Europe via Eintracht, the centre-back has also proven that he can adapt to the European game. Tick, tick, tick.
Edwards will also no doubt be a fan of the description Pacho’s current manager gave of his player via bundesliga.com.
“He’s doing a great job, and is getting better all the time. He’s really reliable and has world-class potential,” says Dino Topmoller. We like the sound of this.