Exclusive: Liverpool weigh up moneyball move for PSG hitman
It is no secret that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-forward as part of an attacking overhaul.
The Premier League champions had shown an interest in Alexander Isak and they likely would've entertained a move for the Sweden international had Newcastle United missed out on Champions League football.
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Julian Alvarez continues to be on the club's radar along with Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike. According to Anfield Watch sources, the Reds are also weighing up a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Goncalo Ramos.
The 23-year-old is by no means top of the club's wishlist, but he's under consideration. It is believed he falls into the Moneyball category.
At this moment in time, he's a value for money option having been underutilised by the Ligue 1 champions.
Ramos was limited to just 1,066 minutes in the French top-flight last season, making 10 starts for Luis Enrique's side. As a result, he could be available this summer. He wants first-team football and PSG want to add an attacker to their ranks who suits their style a little better.
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The Portugal international moved to the French capital for an initial €65million. The feeling is that the former Benfica man could be available for a similar fee this summer.
While this may seem excessive for a bit-part player, it is relatively good value for money when assessing the striker market. Ekitike is valued by Eintracht Frankfurt at €100million while Isak would've set you back the best part of €180million. There's talk that RB Leipzig want north of €80million for Sesko while Alvarez would likely command a fee in excess of €120million.
The PSG No9 made the most of his limited opportunities last term, finishing the Ligue 1 season with 10 goals and three assists. He was a real goal threat for Enrique's side, racking up an Expected Goals total of 13.6 and a Non-Penalty Expected Goals average of 0.96. Ramos, albeit in what was a relatively small sample size, proved himself to be a shot monster, averaging 4.41 per 90 in the league.
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More impressively, though, was the fact just four of his efforts in Ligue 1 arrived from outside of the box during the 2024/25 campaign. He was taking a lot of high-value shots. He showcased his ability to be a penalty box poacher. And if Liverpool opt to go down this route next season, with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah supplying the ammo to a new No9, Ramos could be a leading candidate.
After all, in his final season for Benfica before the move to France, he netted 19 goals. He stepped up following the sale of Darwin Nunez.
Interestingly, Anfield Watch are told that Julian Ward favoured Ramos in the summer of 2022 but former manager Jurgen Klopp was 'in love' with the idea of Darwin. Pedro Marques, who joined FSG in the summer, will know all about Ramos too, not just as a player but as a person. Coupled with Ward's contacts in Portugal, you would imagine that Liverpool have a fairly good idea of what Ramos is like.
If the Reds decide a poacher is required to get the best out of their squad, Ramos could move up their shortlist.
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