Michael Edwards returned to Liverpool with a mission, and this week could cap off a perfect week as chief executive of football within Fenway Sports Group (FSG). The Brit is expected to have an incredibly busy few months ahead of him working with sporting director Richard Hughes, with Arne Slot making it no secret that he wants to bolster his ranks.
After an incredible debut season at Anfield, the former Feyenoord boss is expected to be rewarded for hitting the ground running with a flurry of new signings – with acquisitions being eyed at both ends of the pitch.
With Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong set to arrive at Anfield, Edwards now has the chance to lay down a marker in the summer transfer window by signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Reds recently threw their hat into the ring to sign the playmaker, who previously appeared destined to join either Bayern Munich or Manchester City. The latter have since left the race to secure his signature, and Liverpool are left with a straight shootout with Vincent Kompany’s Bayern – as long as Real Madrid and co do not solidify their interest.
Reports have suggested that Edwards took matters into his own hands recently by flying to Boston to seek FSG’s approval to press on with a big-money move for the Germany international.
If the crunch meeting was successful, it will have been something of a perfect week for the executive after sitting and watching rivals Manchester United crumble in the Europa League final against Tottenham. The defeat not only enforces Liverpool’s superiority over the Red Devils, but will be a major advantage if both clubs eye up the same transfer targets this summer.
Edwards will cap off the week by watching Virgil van Dijk lift the Premier League trophy this weekend when Liverpool bow out from a remarkable campaign. Slot’s side will take on Crystal Palace at Anfield, and their opponents will still be riding high on their FA Cup success last weekend against Manchester City.
Liverpool have kickstarted the summer transfer window in style and they will be hoping to sustain that momentum into the next few weeks, with Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz all potentially set to depart and in need of replacing.
