‘I Can Say This Now’: Journalist Shares What He Was Told About Joao Pedro and Liverpool That He Had to Keep Quiet

Liverpool appear to be closing in on securing some top-quality signings, although a new number nine is still yet to arrive at Anfield.

Despite comfortably claiming the Premier League title, the Reds are strengthening their squad to boost their chances of defending the crown next season.

Retaining a league title is one of football’s toughest challenges, but the arrival of players such as Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz would significantly bolster their ambitions.

Nonetheless, creativity alone is not enough without a reliable figure to convert those chances, and Liverpool currently lack a clinical presence through the middle.

Darwin Nunez has been wearing the number nine jersey, but he is expected to depart this summer, potentially leaving a major gap in the squad.

Joao Pedro of Brighton was strongly linked with a move at one stage, a deal that would have made plenty of sense, although it’s possible that someone in a senior role at the club influenced the interest.

Brighton Used Liverpool to Increase Joao Pedro’s Price

In football, it’s quite common for clubs to use interest from other teams to generate more attention and spark a possible bidding war for a standout player — a tactic that’s both strategic and effective.

According to Lewis Steele, however, Liverpool’s interest in the Brazilian was never as serious as many media reports had suggested.

“Joao Pedro has been linked, but he’s not going to happen,” Steele said on a live stream posted on his YouTube channel.

“Funnily enough, I can say this now, I wouldn’t have said this at the time. In March, someone that I trust texted me to say someone high up at Brighton was going around saying Liverpool had asked about Joao Pedro.

“I tried to verify that, but everything I got back was that it was absolutely fabricated. Brighton were using Liverpool in that instance to drive a market for him, that’s an interesting anecdote.”

What Other Strikers Could Liverpool Get Instead?

With the speculation around Joao Pedro’s potential move to Liverpool having quietened and initial links appearing less credible, the Reds are now expected to explore alternative options.

Hugo Ekitike has emerged as one of the leading candidates, though his £85 million valuation has deterred several clubs, including Chelsea, who have put negotiations on hold.

Viktor Gyokeres is still under consideration, albeit as a long shot, while Benjamin Sesko also remains on the radar, although he currently seems more likely to join Arsenal.

Although there are numerous candidates, concerns over their overall quality and the substantial fees involved have made clubs hesitant. This could see Liverpool opting to wait patiently for a player like Alexander Isak to become available.

In other news, David Ornstein Says He’s Hearing Something Different About Wirtz to Liverpool After Deal Agreed Reports