RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesHuge breakthrough! Liverpool target now asks to leave club as move edges closer
One key Liverpool target has asked to leave his club in a major breakthrough.
It's fair to say this hasn't been the transfer window Liverpool fans were hoping for. With the new season edging ever closer, there is still plenty of work to do and not much to show for it.
The expectation was that this summer would mark the beginning of a new era under Andoni Iraola. After a disappointing campaign, supporters expected Liverpool to move quickly in the market, strengthen the squad and give the new head coach everything he needed to hit the ground running.
Instead, it's been a painfully slow process.
To be fair to Iraola, he hasn't tried to hide the situation.
During his first press conference, he openly admitted that Liverpool still need more signings and confirmed that the club are working hard behind the scenes to get deals over the line.
That was reassuring to hear, but words only go so far. Fans are now waiting for those promises to be backed up with action.
As things stand, Victor Munoz is still the only major arrival of the summer. He's an exciting young player with plenty of potential, but expecting one signing to transform a squad with several obvious weaknesses is unrealistic.
If anything, the headlines have been dominated by setbacks rather than success stories.
The biggest blow came when Yan Diomande slipped through Liverpool's fingers.
The Reds were heavily linked with the talented winger for months and he looked like the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Instead, he chose to reject a move to Anfield before eventually completing a transfer to Real Madrid. Missing out on one of the club's priority targets was a difficult one to take, especially given how perfectly he seemed to fit what Iraola wants from his wide players.
Then there has been the uncertainty off the pitch. Michael Edwards' resignation has raised fresh questions about Liverpool's recruitment department at a time when stability is needed more than ever.
The club are trying to rebuild under a new manager, yet the people responsible for shaping that rebuild are changing as well.
That is hardly the perfect recipe for a smooth transfer window.
Fortunately, there are finally signs that things might be picking up.
Liverpool's attention has now shifted towards Bradley Barcola, who has quickly emerged as the leading alternative to Diomande. He's quick, direct, fearless in one-on-one situations and exactly the type of winger this squad has been crying out for.
Whether Liverpool can get a deal over the line remains to be seen, but after weeks of frustration, fans will simply be hoping this is the moment the club's transfer window finally comes to life.
Things are thankfully moving on more than just the Barcola front, too. Liverpool may end up needing to sign more than one attacker depending on what the future holds for Cody Gakpo, which is still up in the air.
Barcola is a key target but he is not the only one.
Liverpool are also after Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who is very highly rated and who has been tracked by the club for several years, including when he was first starting out at Gent.
Now playing his football at Lille, Fernandez-Pardo has reportedly made a huge decision and given Liverpool a massive breakthrough in a deal to bring him to Anfield.
L'Equipe report that Fernandez-Pardo has asked to leave Lille this summer in a huge update that means a move away from the French side now must be edging closer.
Liverpool are not the only team in the running for his signature. However, given his versatility and ability to play across the front three a move to play under Iraola would make a lot of sense.
Fernandez-Pardo could play anywhere in the Spaniard's system and even if Liverpool sign Barcola, there will definitely be room for another addition alongside Munoz, and the Reds' other attackers.
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