Liverpool fans have perhaps become sick of hearing about Paris Saint-Germain as Arne Slot continues to praise the European champions.
As the recent Champions League knockout tie proved, there is a chasm between the two clubs currently, with the Parisians playing the kind of fast-paced, free-flowing football Reds fans can only dream of.
Slot’s ambition appears to be to build his Liverpool team in PSG’s image, and though that feels like a way off right now, a start would be to use the upcoming transfer window to snatch a couple of targets from the French side.
Liverpool and PSG look set to do battle over Yan Diomande, but as they try and beef up their midfield, the Reds should also attempt to muscle in on Luis Enrique’s reported plan to sign West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
Are Liverpool making the right call by sticking with Arne Slot? 🤔
What does he need to do to get the fans and players back on side?
Arne Slot gives a thumbs up during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League win over Marseille in the Stade Velodrome
Credit: Stuart Franklin/UEFA/Getty Images
Liverpool should interrupt PSG’s Mateus Fernandes plan
Liverpool fans were hugely impressed by Fernandes after watching him boss February’s Premier League clash with West Ham at Anfield.
The Portuguese was excellent that day, displaying the physicality, technical ability and ruggedness that has so been lacking for Slot this season.
According to French outlet Footmercato, PSG have also been impressed by Fernandes, and are already making steps to sign him this summer.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Door opens for Mateus Mane to Liverpool as Wolves confirm ‘excellent’ talent will leave
Mateus Fernandes pictured during West Ham's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the London Stadium.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Contact has reportedly been made between player and club, as Enrique hopes to add Fernandes to his brilliantly talented squad.
If Slot wants to build Liverpool into a version of PSG, he can start at the midfield and snatch Fernandes away. With transfer wheels already in motion, however, the Reds will need to be quick.
Fernandes is what Liverpool need, not Adam Wharton
As transfer talk ramps up ahead of the summer, Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Adam Wharton.
While the 22-year-old would certainly add a touch of PSG-ness to the Reds midfield, he is unfortunately more than a little lightweight.
You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?
Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all…
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
What Liverpool need is more brawn, as well as the brains to match, and there are question marks over whether Wharton can offer that.
From what he’s shown at Southampton and then West Ham, Fernandes certainly can. The Hammers’ potential relegation also makes him attainable as a target.
Liverpool were potentially already keeping tabs on Fernandes as they assess how to paper over Alexis Mac Allister’s unexpected decline, and PSG’s concrete move to sign him should be vindication that he is a genuinely world-class player in the making.
If the Reds could steal both Diomande and Fernandes from under Enrique’s nose, Slot’s dream of replicating the Spaniard’s tactical infrastructure would be two steps closer to becoming a reality.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox