Liverpool transfers: Frankfurt finalise plans to replace €60m Reds target Willian Pacho | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt are making plans to replace outbound centre back Willian Pacho this summer, a highly-regarded prospect who is reported to be on the shopping list of both Liverpool and Arsenal.

The Reds are in need of defensive reinforcements and a young, left-sided defender has been on the agenda for some time.

The contract situation of the currently-injured Joel Matip, allied with continued question marks over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate, add to the case for more signings in that area.

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Manager Jurgen Klopp has turned to academy graduate Jarell Quansah on many occasions alongside Virgil van Dijk this season and more numbers are required.

Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes will have plenty on his plate, not least a replacement for Klopp as manager, but plans have been put in place to sign Pacho ahead of Hughes’ arrival in June, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

Willian Pacho is one of Frankfurt's emerging stars

The 10-cap Ecuador international has been a star in the Bundesliga this season for Frankfurt, missing only one match and being a dependable presence at the heart of Dino Toppmoller’s defence.

The elegant left-sided central defender has only been with Frankfurt since last summer having moved from Royal Antwerp as a Belgian league and cup champion.

The 22-year-old first emerged as a youth team player at Independiente del Valle, the same club that produced Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie, winning a first-ever Ecuadorian league title for the club in 2021.

Pacho was then scouted by Antwerp, signing in January 2022, and winning the double last season, usually playing in a central defensive partnership with Toby Alderweireld.

26.01.2024, Fussball Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt - 1. FSV Mainz 05, emonline, emspor, v.l., Willian Pacho Eintracht Frankfurt, Hugo Larsson Eintracht Frankfurt jubeln über das 1:0 von Mario Götze Eintracht Frankfurt DFL/DFB REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO. xdcx *** 26 01 2024, Soccer Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt 1 FSV Mainz 05, emonline, emspor, v l , Willian Pacho Eintracht Frankfurt , Hugo Larsson Eintracht Frankfurt celebrate Mario Götzes 1 0 Eintracht Frankfurt DFL DFB REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND OR QUASI VIDEO xdcx Copyright: HMBxMedia

The fee which took the defender to Frankfurt was reported to be an initial €9m but the German side have set a far higher asking price for interested parties this summer.

With a contract extending until 2028, Frankfurt’s investment is well protected and they will look for €60m (£51m) this summer, according to Plettenberg.

If that fee is met then Frankfurt will look to go into the market for a replacement.

Frankfurt want PAOK standout to replace Liverpool target Pacho

The latest reports from Plettenberg suggest PAOK defender Konstantinos Koulierakis is on the radar of the Bundesliga side and talks have taken place between Frankfurt higher-ups and the Greek league leaders over a sale.

Moreover the defender IS willing to move to the German side this summer, having made decisive first-team breakthrough over the past couple of seasons.

The 20-year-old first caught the eye during a pre-season campaign back in 2022, with the club slapping a €15m price tag on his head.

Koulierakis has since signed a new deal with his boyhood club, extending to the end of 2026, and it will take more than Frankfurt’s current valuation of €7m to €8m to dislodge him.

Like Pacho, Greece international Koulierakis is a left-footed central defender with high speed and physical strength.

However, if Pacho’s value isn’t met then Frankfurt won’t move ahead with the signing, according to Plettenberg.

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