Liverpool prepared to 'pay whatever it takes' to poach star from European giant in blockbuster summer deal
Liverpool are ‘keeping tabs’ on a highly-rated European midfielder and could be set to sign him this summer.
Aside from the chaos surrounding the 2-2 draw against Everton in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool has been hugely successful.
Heading into game week 25, they are seven points clear of second-place Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
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They also breezed through the 36-team Champions League group phase, finishing at the top of the group.
The Reds also have a Carabao Cup final to look forward to when they take on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16.
But one thing that did not go to plan was their recruitment in the summer of 2024. Apart from the arrival of Italian winger Federico Chiesa, the Reds did not welcome a single first-team player despite attempting to sign Real Sociedad ‘number six’ Martin Zubimendi.
Of course, Ryan Gravenberch stepped in and has made the position his own with consistent, impressive performances at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield.
And so far, he has maintained fitness, but there is a drop-off in quality when considering his potential replacement with Wataru Endo his likely understudy.
As a result, Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing a highly-rated Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, according to Anfield Watch.
The Reds are ‘keeping tabs on’ the situation of Warren Zaire-Emery. The 18-year-old France international is currently contracted to the Ligue 1 champions until the summer of 2029, but representatives from Liverpool have been ‘in contact’ with his agent Joao Mendes.
The reports also suggest that his counterpart Ibrahima Konate could influence his decision to potentially move to Merseyside, having already ‘held talks’ with the teenager.
The PSG man made his debut for the Paris-based side in August 2022 at the age of 16, becoming the team’s youngest-ever player.
In the same season, he achieved several impressive records, such as becoming the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest player to start a Champions League knockout phase match.
Liverpool are ‘willing to pay whatever it takes’ to sign him and could even go above his €65m (£54.2m) valuation.
Speaking in 2023, PSG boss Luis Enrique described the player as a "diamond" after he provided two assists in a European match against AC Milan despite still being 17 at the time.
“He is a diamond,” Enrique said. “The most intelligent players are always able to position themselves based on where their teammates are. Warren knows how to do that. He has learned that himself and it is very easy to train players like that.
“One of his best attributes is his humility. He is only 17 but he is so humble. That is the best legacy that parents or a family can give to the child, and Warren is outstanding in that regard.”
Topics: Premier League, PSG
Luke Davies