Liverpool have reportedly identified Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Willian Pacho as Arne Slot’s first signing after enticing Michael Edwards back to the club last month. The Reds look set to appoint Slot as their new manager, with current boss Jurgen Klopp heading for the Anfield exit this summer after almost nine years in the role.
Edwards previously spent more than 11-and-a-half years at Liverpool and was the club’s sporting director for half of that time. Following Klopp’s decision to call time on his Liverpool managerial career, the Reds’ owners Fenway Sports Group persuaded Edwards to become their CEO of football.
The 44-year-old is now overseeing Liverpool’s football operations and is playing a leading role in the search for a new manager. He is also eyeing up talent on the pitch, with Pacho appearing to possess the credentials Edwards is looking for.
Pacho came through the Independiente academy in Ecuador, before joining Royal Antwerp at the start of 2022. Eintracht paid less than £8million to sign the 22-year-old last summer and instantly handed him a key role at the heart of their defence.
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Pacho has featured 40 times since moving to Germany and has started all but one of his team’s Bundesliga matches this campaign, with his side currently sixth in the table. The defender has also won 10 caps for Ecuador and was part of his country’s squad at the World Cup in 2022.
According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Liverpool are looking for a left-footed centre-back, with Pacho becoming the club’s priority defensive signing. The player, who helped Royal Antwerp win the Belgian league title last season, is said to have the right profile for Liverpool. And it remains to be seen whether the ace is tempted by a move to the Premier League.
Liverpool had been tipped to appoint Sporting manager Ruben Amorim as their next boss but have now turned their attention to Feyenoord manager Slot. According to Sky Sports, Liverpool and Feyenoord are now in negotiations over a compensation package for Slot and could be forced to hand the Dutch giants £9million to acquire the 45-year-old’s services. And Slot and Edwards could have a major rebuild on their hands at Anfield.
Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes were derailed on Wednesday night as they were defeated 2-0 by Everton at Goodison Park. And with speculation rife over the futures of a number of ageing stars such as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, this summer could mark a line in the sand for a team that achieved so much under the stewardship of one of their finest ever managers.
