Liverpool have thus far found it difficult to add to their squad and if reports are to be believed, they’ve been dealt a hammer blow in the race to sign one of their targets.
Arne Slot said before the Reds’ pre-season tour in the USA that he’d be very surprised if Liverpool failed to sign players this summer, indicating that work is being done behind the scenes by Sporting Director Richard Hughes.
While the lack of an out-and-out number six is the only gaping hole in their squad, Liverpool could also be in the market for a central defender. Joel Matip‘s departure has created a vacancy, while Joe Gomez and Sepp van den Berg are attracting interest from across Europe.
The likes of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are out of favour, so Slot could look to rejig his options at the back. However, if reports are to be believed, one of their long-term transfer targets is set to move to another top European club.
Liverpool target Willian Pacho on the verge of £39m transfer
Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in his position after a string of classy displays at the back for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Pacho, who was hailed as someone with ‘world-class’ potential by Frankfurt boss Dino Topmoller, played 44 games across all competitions for his club last season and also represented Ecuador at Copa America 2024 as they lost to Argentina in the quarterfinal.
According to Florian Plettenberg, the 22-year-old is on the verge of signing for PSG for a fee believed to be in the region of £39m.
Pacho was linked with Liverpool just days ago, as he was said to be on the club’s centre-back short-list, but it seems that Slot will now have to look elsewhere.
Pacho is set to sign a ‘long-term contract’ with the Ligue 1 giants, with his medical set to be scheduled anytime this week if both clubs manage to exchange all the relevant paperwork.
What next for Liverpool after missing out on Willian Pacho?
There’s no pressing need for a central defender at Anfield this summer, with Slot adequately stacked at the heart of the backline with Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate, Gomez and Van den Berg, among others.
However, if the latter two – who have been linked with potential departures – were to leave, then the Reds will have to scour the market for replacements.
Crystal Palace duo Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen are reportedly on Liverpool’s radar, but the Eagles are unlikely to part with two key players who have formed such a formidable defensive partnership at Selhurst Park.
The Reds still have time to add to their squad as the transfer window is open until the end of the month. However, clubs will be unwilling to part with their players later on in the window as they wouldn’t have enough time to sign suitable replacements, so Liverpool should look to accelerate their transfer plans as early as this week.
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