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Arsenal, Liverpool 'to battle for Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho'

Arsenal, Liverpool 'to battle for Frankfurt's Pacho'
© Reuters
Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly showing an interest in signing Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho.

Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho.

The 22-year-old has made a significant impression since joining Frankfurt from Royal Antwerp in a €9m (£7.7m) deal last summer.

Pacho has established himself as a regular fixture in Dino Toppmoller's side, having made 35 appearances across all competitions.

The left-footed centre-back has also become a key figure in the Ecuador squad, playing every minute of his country's six qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

According to journalist Florian Plettenburg, Pacho's performances have caught the attention of Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool.

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul in action with Ecuador's William Pacho on September 7, 2023© Reuters

Both clubs have shortlisted the Ecuador international as they weigh up whether to pursue a move in the summer transfer window.

While Frankfurt are said to be aware of the interest, they are under no immediate pressure to sell, with Pacho under contract until the summer of 2028.

As a result, the German club are likely to demand €60m (£51.2m) to sanction the defender's departure ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are currently regarded as Arsenal's first-choice centre-back pairing, but Mikel Arteta is seemingly keen to add further strength in depth to his backline over the summer.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on February 21, 2024© Reuters

Meanwhile, Liverpool could also be in the market for a new central defender, with uncertainty surrounding the future of Joel Matip.

The 32-year-old has been ruled out of the season with a knee injury, and there is a possibility that he has played his last game for the club.

As it stands, the Cameroonian will leave Anfield on a free transfer when his current contract expires at the end of the season.

Liverpool have also previously been linked with a move for Pacho's compatriot Piero Hincapie, who is currently enjoying a successful campaign with Bayer Leverkusen.

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Written by
Ben Sully

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