Liverpool may have clear advantage over Arsenal in Willian Pacho transfer battle

A busy summer awaits for Liverpool as the club prepares for the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

Klopp has just two more fixtures left as Liverpool's manager before he departs later this month. Wolves at Anfield next Sunday will be the German's final fixture as Reds boss, in what is expected to be an emotional day on Merseyside.

With Klopp departing, it's expected that Arne Slot will be his successor as the next Liverpool manager. With that will come speculation about what transfer business the club will look to conduct ahead of Slot's first season in charge.

Rumours have already been swirling around the potential players that Liverpool could sign. One of the rumours centres around the future of Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho.

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Reports emerged last month claiming that the Reds were showing an interest in signing Pacho this summer. It has also been claimed that the Bundesliga club could demand a fee in the region of €50 million (£43 million) for his signature.

However, it seems that Liverpool may not be alone in their apparent attempt to try and sign Pacho. Reports from Spain have speculated that Arsenal are also in the running to sign the centre-back when the transfer window opens.

Should this speculation prove to be true, then Liverpool may have a battle on their hands to try and sign Pacho. In the same instance, though, there may be an advantage that may work in the Reds' favour.

Liverpool have been widely reported to be interested in signing a centre-back this summer. The Reds currently have Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah as the central defensive options in the squad.

Matip looks increasingly likely to depart this summer when his contract expires, as he continues to recover from an ACL injury. Quansah is nearing the end of his first season as a member of Liverpool's first-team squad, while Gomez has been utilised more at full-back than centre-back this term.

All the signs point towards Liverpool being in need of central defensive reinforcements this summer. It's argued that the same cannot be said for Arsenal, though.

The Gunners currently have William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes as their first-choice centre-back partnership. Arsenal also have Ben White and Jakub Kiwior who are capable of performing at the centre of defence, while Jurrien Timber will also be an option when he returns following a knee injury.

Saliba and Gabriel have yet to miss a single Premier League match this season through injury. In contrast, Liverpool have struggled with fitness concerns across the squad throughout the campaign, with Matip, for instance, being sidelined since December.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool's interest in Pacho is genuine, while the same can also be said for Arsenal. However, the Reds' greater need for defensive reinforcements compared to their Premier League rivals could give them the edge in negotiations.