PSG to swoop on outgoing Liverpool Sporting Director Edwards

 

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly considering the outgoing Liverpool sporting director as a replacement for Leonardo as the fallout from the French club’s disastrous exit from the Champions League continues.

Leonardo’s future at the Parc des Princes is in grave doubt after another failed Champions League campaign under his tutelage.

PSG crashed out of European football’s main club competition after being beaten 3-2 by Spanish giant Real Madrid.

The defeat, which extends PSG’s wait for a first Champions League crown, is likely to bring about a major change for the nine-time French champions, including the Brazilian’s departure.

Edwards leaves Liverpool at the end of the season and The Telegraph has reported that he is being drafted as a possible candidate to succeed Leonardo who has faced calls to resign from angry PSG fans – as sporting director.

The American, who has enjoyed a period of remarkable success during his 11-year tenure at Anfield, is one of many names shortlisted to step into the role of Leonardo, according to the same outlet.

Others on the list include Andrea Berta at Atletico Madrid, Giovanni Rossi, football director at Sassuolo, and former Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana, who holds a similar position at Sporting Lisbon.

PSG have also reportedly contacted Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici, although it is not clear whether he is also on the shortlist.

The influential Edwards, who is succeeded at Liverpool by his assistant Julian Ward, is regarded as one of the best negotiators in the industry.

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He helped bring manager Jurgen Klopp to the club and led the transfers of talisman players, including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane.

Edwards also signed a £146m deal with Barcelona for the sale of Philippe Coutinho in January 2018 and has ensured Liverpool have received significant fees for the sale of a host of other players.

Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League a year later, challenging this season on four fronts after winning the Carabao Cup last month.

Edwards’ Big Liverpool Moves

INCOME:

Mohamed Salah – £39m

Virgil van Dijk – £75 million

Alisson Becker – £65m

Sadio Mane – £30m

Andy Robertson – £8 million

Georginio Wijnaldum – £25m

EXPENDITURE:

Philippe Coutinho – £146m

Rhian Brewster – £23.5 million

Danny Ings – £20m

Dominic Solanke – £19 million

Mamadou Sakho – £18m

Danny Ward – £12.5 million