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Liverpool: Joao Pedro a shock target for Julian Ward
Liverpool have placed Watford forward Joao Pedro on a list of potential Sadio Mane replacements, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The lowdown: Mane’s future
Having initially remained coy over whether the UEFA Champions League final would be one last hoorah in a red shirt, Mane is now expected to seek pastures new in the summer.
As a result, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are battling to secure the 29-year-old’s signature, as Liverpool begin to prepare for life after the talismanic attacker.
Now, a fresh update has suggested that the backroom staff at Anfield have already drawn up a list of potential successors to the Senegalese star…
The latest: Pedro named
As per The Daily Mail, new sporting director Ward is hard at work resolving the Mane situation, and Brazilian forward Pedro – who is worth just £9million (Transfermarkt) and was labelled as ‘exciting’ by former boss Xisco Munoz – has ‘caught the eye’ on Merseyside.
It’s claimed that perennially linked Watford teammate Ismaila Sarr, Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic, Villarreal sensation Arnaut Danjuma and Bayern’s own Serge Gnabry are also of interest to the Reds.
The report also states that Jurgen Klopp will look to add ‘at least one more forward’ with Divock Origi heading for the exit door and Takumi Minamino’s future in doubt.
The verdict: One for the future
Still only 20 years old, Pedro is far from the finished article for the Premier League, as proven by a lowly four goals in 2021/22 as Watford were relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Despite the struggles to have a direct influence on proceedings, the young Brazilian earned a strong 6.84 Sofascore rating comprising of 1.7 shots, 0.7 key passes and 6.0 duels won on average per game.
Sharing stylistic similarities with Wolves powerhouse Raul Jimenez and Brentford target man Ivan Toney (Fbref), Pedro is a more archetypal centre-forward who would be best served acting as a direct replacement for Origi as opposed to Mane.
Holding that perceived market value of £9million, Ward would be wise to test the waters with a low offer as FSG attempt to remain shrewd spenders in the market, particularly in light of the Hertfordshire club’s relegation. Perhaps, then, there will be cash left lying over for a more marquee addition alongside the young Hornet.
In other news, James Pearce has dropped a key Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.
