An incredible forward could be coming to Liverpool.
The Reds’ first transfer of the window is already signed, sealed and delivered. Victor Munoz is the first transfer Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have conducted this summer.
It’s an exciting start. Liverpool are getting a Spanish international who has played for Real Madrid and spent time at La Masia’s academy, and who can play across the front line for a small price of £34m.
That is the kind of deal that you can’t disagree with. Liverpool have often spent excessive amounts on players in recent years but this transfer for Munoz is a return back to the club’s old ways – when Edwards and his recruitment team had to seek out value in the market.
Obviously, not every transfer is going to be like that this summer. Munoz is the first but he won’t be the last. Liverpool could be set for a busy summer with the recruitment team keen to further reinforce Andoni Iraola’s options.
The next one through the doors could be Yan Diomande. A further attacker could also follow. But Liverpool will also be looking at potential new additions in the centre-back, right-back and midfield positions as well.
Depth is really going to be important.
Naturally, Liverpool are not only going to be looking to sign first-team players but there is a clear shift in strategy in the academy at recruitment level as well.
Pedro Marques, who was recruited from Benfica and former sporting director Julian Ward have taken up key positions within Liverpool’s hierarchy and they are responsible for bringing in new players and negotiating new deals for promising young talents.
Under Marques, Liverpool have invested heavily into youth. Last summer was just the beginning of this with Armin Pecsi and Will Wright coming in – while Liverpool also agreed a deal in principle to sign Sidy Barhama Ndiaye.
In January, Liverpool brought in Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Now this summer, Samuel Martinez has been recruited and Liverpool are working on several more deals to be done before the window shuts close.
This includes Dara Jikiemi from Celtic, Zack Trinder from Wolverhampton, Michael Mulholland from Crusaders, Xavier Parker from Manchester City, Josh Chigwada from Everton, Diego Pelembe from Mozambique and Daniel Banjaqui from Benfica.
The way Liverpool are moving in the market is quite unprecedented. Never have the Reds pursued moves to aggressively, and there’s another player on the club’s radar as well who made 70 goal contributions last season.
