Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly both made an enquiry about a highly-rated Bundesliga defender who could cost north of £50m this summer.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho only joined the German giants from Belgian side Royal Antwerp last year, but he has enjoyed a seamless adaptation to Bundesliga football.
The 22-year-old - who is left-footed and stands at 6ft 1in tall - has provided one assist in 39 games for Frankfurt, starting 28 of their 29 top-flight matches in 2023-24 so far.
A 10-cap Ecuador international who made his nation's squad for the 2022 World Cup - albeit without playing a single minute - Pacho has also scored twice for the Tricolor, who are on course for 2026 World Cup qualification as they sit fifth in the CONMEBOL standings.
While he does not pack much of an attacking punch, the 22-year-old has averaged just over seven ball recoveries per match over the last year, putting him in the 95th percentile for centre-backs in the big five European leagues.
© Reuters
Premier League duo to battle for Pacho?
Pacho's contract with Eintracht Frankfurt does not expire for another four seasons, but according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, he will be allowed to depart for the right price this summer.
Premier League title-chasers Arsenal and Liverpool have supposedly already made contact to discuss a deal for the South American, and Eintracht Frankfurt are not in the dark about the duo's interest.
However, the German outfit are prepared to demand at least €50m (£42.7m) and as much as €60m (£51.3m) to let Pacho leave, as he is regarded as a "key" player for Die Adler.
Before making a name for himself in Europe, Pacho experienced his first taste of senior football with Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle, who have seen several top talents emerge from their academy in recent times.
Chelsea's Moises Caicedo - the only man to have been sold by Independiente for a higher fee than Pacho - and Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie, another defender on Liverpool's radar, have come through the same youth system.
Which defenders could leave Arsenal, Liverpool this summer?
🔴 News Willian #Pacho | Arsenal and Liverpool are still interested in Pacho and inquired about him. Eintracht Frankfurt is aware / #LFC
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 16, 2024
➡️ The 22 y/o is allowed to leave Eintracht in the summer if someone pays between €50-60m in transfer fees. This price tag has been set. #SGE... pic.twitter.com/8ZBdvdi3lt
Neither Arsenal nor Liverpool should sanction Pacho's arrival without trimming their defensive ranks this summer, but the Merseyside giants already have a handful of defenders on the chopping block.
Joel Matip - currently sidelined with an ACL injury - is due to become a free agent this summer, while perennial loanees Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Sepp van den Berg are likely to be moved on as well.
As for Arsenal, speculation surrounding a potential move back to Serie A for Jakub Kiwior has died down in recent months thanks to his regular starts at left-back, but his long-term future is not 100% defined.
Cedric Soares is already known to be heading for the exit door when his deal expires this summer - fellow full-backs Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares could follow suit - and no talks have been opened over extending Oleksandr Zinchenko's deal beyond 2026.
There is no suggestion that Zinchenko could be sold this summer, but with his form declining amid competition from Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and the returning Jurrien Timber, Pacho could provide useful central cover as Arteta trims his left-back reserves.
Ben Knapton
