With the summer transfer window looming, Liverpool seem to have received a boost regarding their pursuit of a high-impact signing to mark the beginning of the Arne Slot era.
It’s widely known that Slot is expected to take over as the next Liverpool manager, barring any unexpected twists, as the Feyenoord boss has been quite candid about the situation.
Liverpool’s focus appears to have shifted towards shaping Jurgen Klopp’s current squad in accordance with their incoming new manager’s vision. This adjustment sees players like Crysencio Summerville and Ousmane Diomande grabbing attention.
Of the two, Summerville stands out, potentially set to join his compatriots at Anfield and secure a move reflective of his impressive performances in the Championship.
However, he might not be the sole addition this summer. Liverpool are eyeing reinforcements for their defense, aiming to secure a successor for Virgil van Dijk at a bargain price.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports reports that Liverpool are set to secure the services of Willian Pacho from Eintracht Frankfurt for as low as €50m (£43m). This comes as a surprise, considering initial estimates pegged the defender’s value at over £50m.
At a mere 22 years old, Pacho’s potential to thrive at Liverpool and eventually step in for Van Dijk could turn out to be a steal of a deal.
“Clever” Pacho Can Partner Konate
At 32, Van Dijk peak won’t last forever, prompting Liverpool to look to players like Ibrahima Konate to step up and lead the defense. Together, these young defenders could form a potent partnership for years, with Jarell Quansah adding depth to the squad.
| League stats 23/24 (via FBref) | Willian Pacho | Ibrahima Konate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Carries | 22 | 24 |
| Progressive Passes | 136 | 118 |
| Tackles Won | 35 | 22 |
| Ball Recoveries | 207 | 97 |
Considering those figures, it’s understandable why Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krösche has lavished praise on Pacho during his time at Frankfurt, as expressed to the official Bundesliga website:
“Willian is a very clever player, who listens well and is quick to implement what’s asked of him. His speed and strength in the tackle are what make him stand out.”
Bringing Pacho on board could kickstart the Slot era on a strong note, especially if he demonstrates the qualities to fill the Van Dijk gap alongside Konate.
In other Liverpool news, ‘Already’: Fabrizio Romano Reveals One Signing Liverpool are Now Working on