Exclusive: Why Liverpool have gone ALL in on Armin Pecsi

Armin Pecsi is closing in on a move to Liverpool. Anfield Watch can exclusively reveal why the Reds have made a move for the Hungarian and what the club's plans are for the future.

Liverpool are expected to agree a £1.5m fee for Pecsi with Puskas Akademia, which will be a club record for the Hungarian side.

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For many supporters, his arrival may come a surprise, but Liverpool have tracked him for a long time.

He has been on the Reds radar for several years, having been training with Puskas Akademia's first team since he was 16-years-old.

In the scouting world, he's been considered as an under the radar gem for a long time.

It is understood he caught the eye against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League play off, where he made several key saves and took the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Before that scouts had watched him in action against England's U19 side during a European qualifying game in which he made six saves and conceded just one goal against a team that included Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo.

Since then he has gone onto become one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe. Statistically, no goalkeeper has kept more prevented goals (14.33) this season than Pecsi.

His performances in between the sticks have not gone unnoticed either. Pecsi was voted the Young Player of the Season in Hungary.

He was also nominated for the Golden Boy award last month, currently ranking in 47th place, and 2nd among goalkeepers.

The two previous Golden Boy nominees from Hungary were Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Sources in Hungary consider him one of the best prospects in the country since Dominik Szoboszlai. They speak highly of his character on and off the pitch.

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Pecsi is represented by the same agency as Dominik Szoboszlai, EM Sports Consulting, and this played a key role in his decision to join Liverpool.

Anfield Watch understands clubs across Europe have been very keen on signing him. He even had interest from other Premier League clubs.

But EM Sports' good relationship with Liverpool and the prospect of linking up with two of the best goalkeepers in world football in Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili, as well as his Hungarian national team captain, Szoboszlai, swayed his decision towards Anfield.

Liverpool scouts rate Pecsi very highly as well. It is understood they see him as someone with the potential to become a first choice goalkeeper in the future.

One of the aspects they like about Pecsi the most is his ability on the ball.

The youngster actually played as an outfield player until the age of 10, before switching to goalkeeper after playing in the position in a tournament.

Because of those foundations, he’s very composed and assured on the ball - typical of Alisson and Liverpool’s previous no.2 Caoimhin Kelleher.

The club plan to integrate him into the first team over a long period. It is expected Pecsi will join Liverpool for pre-season in the summer before becoming the U21 team's first choice goalkeeper.

He will be considered as third choice in the first team and will train alongside Alisson and Mamardashvili.

At this stage, it's not expected that he will be sent out on loan this summer. Although it can't be ruled out. There are many clubs across Europe who would be keen on securing his services on loan from the Reds.

One thing is for certain, Liverpool have high hopes for the Hungarian. The Reds have made it a policy that they intend to sign the best players and the best prospects in the world, Pecsi falls into that category.

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Among the experts in the Eastern European region, Liverpool signing Pecsi is regarded as a major coup.