Manchester United and Chelsea are attempting to follow Liverpool ’s lead in the transfer market by appointing Michael Edwards.
The transfer guru only left Anfield earlier this year following a hugely successful spell on Merseyside. During his 11-year stint with the Reds, he progressed from technical analyst all the way to sporting director with his eye for a player proving particularly useful for a number of managers.
Fierce rivals Man United have already been credited with an interest in appointing Edwards as they plan a major reshuffle of their recruitment department. The Red Devils have wasted vast sums in the market since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and there is hope that Edwards could help get them back on track.
One of the biggest clubs in the world from a financial perspective, Edwards would likely be given vast freedom over who he pursues. In the meantime, it would also allow him to stay local having served the Reds for a lengthy period.
Despite the temptations of the move to Old Trafford, there would certainly be challenges. It is not often that an individual - whether that be a player or official - has made the switch directly between Liverpool and Manchester United. Should he do that, then there will no doubt be huge questions over his position with the Anfield faithful.
In the meantime, the job at Old Trafford is also a considerable one. The club requires a huge rebuild following the disastrous tenure of Ralf Rangnick. The current squad needs massive investment and despite his talents, Edwards would certainly be pushed to the limits to get the right players through the door.
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That is why a switch to Chelsea could potentially tempt the former Liverpool man slightly more with the Blues chasing his signature according to ESPN.
New club owner Todd Boehly has announced that Marina Granovskaia is set to leave the club this summer. Like Edwards, she has played a crucial role in Chelsea’s transfer dealings during the last few seasons and has gone on to become one of the most powerful figures in football.
However, with the takeover now complete, the Blues have gone in a different direction. Boehly himself is set to act as interim sporting director during the search for a successor whilst Granovskaia will still advise the west London club between now and the end of the summer transfer window.
Unlike United, Chelsea have a deep and talented squad that only requires some slight tweaks having claimed numerous pieces of silverware under Thomas Tuchel over recent seasons. The Blues can of course now turn to the transfer market with UK Government sanctions having been lifted.
It would be a relatively straightforward start to life within his new role in huge contrast to a switch to Old Trafford.
In the meantime, a switch to Stamford Bridge would give Edwards his first chance to return to London for the first time in over a decade. He originally joined Liverpool from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2011.
It remains to be seen whether that would be enough to tempt him but it goes without saying that both Man United and Chelsea will be keen to secure his services and follow Liverpool’s lead.
