The new Liverpool sporting director has had to step down after replacing Michael Edwards, and now has the chance to be the perfect successor to his former boss.
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There may be a new man in the hot seat, but it’s a lot as usual when it comes to Liverpool and their transfers.
During his 11 years at Anfield, Michael Edwards’ insight into the market earned him the reputation of being one of the most astute players in world football. Perhaps it is little surprise then that when his departure was announced there was an air of trepidation.
After all, under his guise as Liverpool’s sporting director, Edwards helped oversee a transformation that saw the Reds regain their place at the top of European football. His list of transfer hits is staggering, including an excess of players already considered great at Anfield.
But perhaps it was his ability to continue to provide quality, while keeping his net spending low that has helped most build Edwards’ story. Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez were the biggest outbursts, but it was the bids that went under the radar that became increasingly vital to the entire operation.
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Danny Ward had only made three first-team appearances when he was sent to Leicester City for £ 12.5 million. Dominic Solanke had found the net just once before Bournemouth sanctioned a £ 19million bid and Rhian Brewster contributed £ 23.5million, for a player who has since not looked like a Premier League standard.
And his successor, Julian Ward, is proving that he has learned more than a thing or two from his former boss. After overseeing the offers of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay during his first term, it is now a case of taking players out of the gate.
Sadio Mane seems likely to be the first, as it is believed his Bayern Munich doctor will be booked by Tuesday ahead of a £ 35.1m move. But once completed, Ward will have a chance to significantly increase Kop’s coffers with marginal players making moves.
Liverpool are asking £ 15m for Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams
The Telegraph Liverpool have reportedly charged £ 15m to Neco Williams, with the newly promoted Nottingham Forest sniffing out the defender. Williams passed on loan last season and reports now state that any outing this summer will be permanent and will come at a considerable cost to stakeholders.
Nathaniel Phillips is another defender who is unlikely to ever become a regular starter under Jurgen Klopp, but could charge a similar fee to Bournemouth after his promotion.
Takumi Minamino could also sacrifice himself in the pursuit of financial parity and could fetch up to £ 17 million from Monaco leaders. The Japanese international scored 10 goals in all competitions, but admitted that he was disappointed by his lack of opportunities.
Julian Ward (left) replaces Michael Edwards (right) as Liverpool’s sporting director (
Image:
trainingground.guru)
“As a player, I’ve never had a difficult time in a game so far,” he told the Japanese channel SoccerDigest via the ECO. “But at the same time, it is significant for me to play an important game as a player and leave a result.
“I’m told I got the result, but I don’t think I did much. I just did the obvious, and it was more disappointing. I can play a bigger game and get the result. I want to be a player. ”
If Liverpool seal these four outings, they will recover more than £ 80 million, more than enough to cover the starting fee paid to Benfica to sign Núñez earlier this month. And Ward would prove to be the right choice to continue Edwards’ brilliant work.
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