Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Tottenham breathe sigh of relief after PSG ditch pursuit in favour of Liverpool hero

Fabio Paratici Tottenham March 2022

Tottenham can breathe easy after a report revealed PSG are now targeting outgoing Liverpool technical director Michael Edwards, rather than Fabio Paratici.

The French powerhouse are expected to oversee sweeping changes to their club in the summer. Their latest humbling in the Champions League last week has once again drawn the ire of the Parisian fans. Indeed, despite assembling a fearsome forward line that contained Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, PSG let a two-goal aggregate lead slip to Real Madrid.

That led to Messi and Neymar being jeered by their own fans in last weekend’s Ligue 1 clash with Bordeaux.

Several key figures at the club now have their positions under the microscope. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to leave at season’s end.

Meanwhile, technical director Leonardo could also be axed after failing to assemble a squad capable of winning the Champions League despite boasting one of the biggest budgets.

In the event Leonardo is axed, Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb recently claimed Spurs’ Fabio Paratici could be targeted. Indeed, they claimed contact had already been made between the Italian and PSG.

Losing Paratici would be a bitter blow to Spurs, though the Athletic’s David Ornstein later poured cold water on that scenario playing out.

Liverpool’s Michael Edwards catches PSG’s eye

Now, the Telegraph provide an update on the state of play at PSG, and it’s Liverpool’s Michael Edwards who is being targeted, not Paratici.

The newspaper states Edwards – whose recruitment has been the envy of Europe in recent years – is on PSG’s shortlist to replace Leonardo.

Edwards announced he would depart Liverpool in November after a wholly successful spell at Anfield. He will be replaced by Julian Ward who has been learning from Edwards on the job.

Indeed, it was reported in January that Ward took the lead on Liverpool’s acquisition of Luis Diaz from Porto. The Reds were able to snuff out Tottenham’s interest when completing a deal. Diaz is already earning rave reviews at Anfield.

Also on PSG’s radar are Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta, Sassuolo’s Giovanni Rossi and Sporting Lisbon’s Hugo Viana. But it is unquestionably Edwards that would be the prized capture.

During Edwards’ tenure at Liverpool, the likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have all been signed.

Liverpool have been characterised by their incredible success rate in the market under Edwards. Furthermore, they have generated surprising fees when selling players at both ends of the spectrum.

Indeed, Philippe Coutinho was sold to Barcelona for £142m. While the likes of Jordon Ibe and Rhian Brewster recouped Liverpool £15m and £23.5m respectively.

Now, it appears PSG are hopeful he can have the same impact in Paris.

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