Liverpool close to appointing Jorg Schmadtke as new sporting director

Liverpool are reportedly close to appointing Jorg Schmadtke as their new sporting director. 

This is according to The Telegraph who reveal the Merseyside outfit have held talks with the German football executive and are set to appoint him soon. 

The Reds have been looking to sign a replacement for Julian Ward who is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season after taking over from Michael Edwards a year ago. 

Schmadtke played as a goalkeeper for German clubs Fortuna Dusseldorf and Freiburg during the 1980s and 1990s. 

Following his retirement, the 59-year-old went on to serve as sporting director at Aachen, Hannover 96, FC Cologne and most recently Wolfsburg. 

The German football expert is known for his outspoken style and also for recruitment that gets value for the assigned budgets. 

Liverpool are set for a very busy summer transfer window as manager Jurgen Klopp aims to rebuild his squad ahead of the 2023-24 season. 

Their disappointing performances this campaign shows they need reinforcements in several areas. 

New signings in midfield look to be their main priority but the Reds also require additions in forward and defence. 

They pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham due to Borussia Dortmund’s huge valuation. The 19-year-old is now reportedly very close to joining Real Madrid after agreeing personal terms with them. 

Chelsea’s Mason Mount is regarded as a top target for the Merseyside outfit this summer, while they have also been linked with moves for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.