Liverpool forced to act: Starting pistol fired with €30m bid

Liverpool need to make a move. The starting pistol has been fired in the race for one of Europe's top prospects.

There are a lot of incredibly talented young players on the brink of transfers this summer. Liverpool may even sign one in Ibrahim Mbaye.

But the Senegal star is far from the only one they've been linked with. He's also not the only one we've gone big on in this transfer window as there's another playing in France that we'd love to see at Anfield.

Liverpool have been linked fairly heavily with Matias Fernandez-Pardo at Lille. We're massive fans of his - a versatile 21-year-old who can score goals, play through the middle and from the wing.

The Belgian was, by our model, the second-best 21-and-under striker across Europe's top five leagues last season. Only Eli Kroupi offered more value to his team.

That's why there's such a push for his signature this summer and it seems the starting pistol has been fired. L'Equipe report that Atlético Madrid have made their move, offering around €35m to Lille.

The report also claims that 'English clubs' could enter the running 'in the coming days'. We'll see if that includes Liverpool but they've certainly been in the group consistently linked over the summer.

In a lot of ways, Fernandez-Pardo is exactly what Liverpool are looking for. He can play on either flank and through the middle - essentially the exact requirements right now.

The Reds lack options on the wings that they're actually happy with, while cover for Alexander Isak is needed as Hugo Ekitiké may not return until 2027. Fernandez-Pardo would fix those problems.

Keep an eye on this one, then. We're not sure Liverpool will justify it all with Bradley Barcola and Mbaye also wanted but if they can find the cash, Fernandez-Pardo could be a late one here.