By any measure, Liverpool have had a very good start to the summer transfer window.
The Reds have come out of the blocks quickly to sign Jeremie Frimpong, with a number of other, exciting deals already in the works.
With Liverpool set to break their transfer record on Florian Wirtz, the Reds’ recruitment team deserve praise for their work so far.
Wirtz had been expected to join Bayern Munich this summer. That he isn’t owes plenty to the endeavour of FSG’s CEO of football Michael Edwards, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot.
However, while Edwards, Hughes and co have done a sterling job on Wirtz, this summer has already proved that they are not completely infallible.
Liverpool were reportedly interested in signing Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old prodigy from River Plate in Argentina. With Mastantuono since nearing a move to Real Madrid, there is one area where Edwards in particular deserves scrutiny.
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Liverpool have to improve South American signings
Although Liverpool were seemingly in for Mastantuono, it never felt especially likely that they’d sign him.
Once the likes of Real Madrid come in for these South American youngsters, they tend to hold much more appeal.
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🚨🤍 BREAKING: Franco Mastantuono to Real Madrid, here we go! Argentinian top talent will join Madrid on six year deal.
$45m fee to be paid in installments. ⭐️🇦🇷
Formal steps to follow next week with River Plate now asking for Franco to play Club World Cup then leave in August. pic.twitter.com/PDgYV3u6g2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2025
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Nevertheless, Chelsea have been quick to snap up highly-rated talents such as Brazilian Estevao Willian and Ecuador’s Kendry Paez. With other Premier League clubs also signing players like Valentin Barco and Luis Guilherme, Liverpool have been left lagging behind.
Edwards clearly has an eye for talent in Brazil, Argentina and the rest. Liverpool tried to sign Rodrygo Goes from Santos eight years ago but ultimately lost out to Madrid on that occasion as well.
READ MORE: Liverpool given perfect excuse to reignite interest in La Liga star who was tipped to replace Mohamed Salah
Rodrygo has gone on to become an excellent player for Los Blancos, but had Liverpool been a little sharper, or willing to spend a touch more money, they could have had him for themselves.
In the case of Mastantuono, he looks like potentially being an even bigger talent than Rodrygo.
Liverpool’s failure to sign him is not on the shoulders of one person, and when Madrid come in there is sometimes nothing to be done. But after another one slips through the net, the Reds simply must review how they do business in South America.
FSG should acquire South American feeder club
Part of the reason Edwards was brought back to Liverpool last summer was to help FSG secure a second football club.
There have been various near misses in that regard over the last 12 months, but the Liverpool owners are still to pull the trigger.
As they assess their options, it is well worth looking at the idea of securing a club in South America.
Liverpool were reportedly eyeing up Vasco da Gama last year, so FSG have clearly had this idea themselves. And although that pursuit ultimately came to nothing, that is a promising sign.
Should they be able to own a club for themselves, they will be able to stay one step ahead if talents such as Mastantuono are breaking through. In the meantime, Liverpool have to win one of these battles sooner or later.