He's coming! Julian Ward's first signing at Liverpool is already decided

He's coming! Julian Ward's first signing at Liverpool is already decided Liverpool's first signing under Julian Ward has just become clear. The Reds are returning to what has worked before. With the Michael Edwards era now over and Richard Hughes moving on as well, Ward has become the Reds' next sporting director. Ward has become an important part of Liverpool's operations behind the scenes. He worked in a role helping Edwards and Hughes and also working closely alongside Pedro Marques as well. Ward who previously worked at Man City, has been in the sporting director seat before. He resigned after just one year taking over from Edwards. In that on year, Ward secured a new contract for Mo Salah and brought in a lot of exciting players including Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. Now, he's got a big task ahead of him. Julian Ward's first steps as sporting director One of the most important decisions Ward has to make is whether or not to extend Virgil van Dijk's contract. Liverpool allowed Mo Salah and Andy Robertson leave on a free last summer. Do they want to allow Van Dijk to leave in the same way? Alongside Alisson Becker, who is also set to leave the club upon the expiry of his contract. It's a tough call. Van Dijk is probably good enough to continue at an elite level. But are Liverpool willing to pay him his quite hefty wages? On top of that call, Ward is also going to have to extend Rio Ngumoha's contract and decide what the future holds for Alexis Mac Allister. Why Lamine Camara will be Liverpool's first signing under Ward But the most important area the Reds have to fix is the midfield. Liverpool's midfield right now just doesn't have a defensive minded option. Liverpool have a lot of players who are very good with the ball, but they need someone like Fabinho who can read the game and win duels in the middle of the park. Lamine Camara is the perfect option, and he is available and Liverpool have made it clear to his representatives that they hold him in high regard and will move for him in 2027. A key part of those communications was Ward. Anfield Watch understands he actually travelled to Monaco towards the end of the window, before Camara's Chelsea saga, to hold talks with the Senegalese international's representatives. So, Hughes has already held talks with Camara, he holds him in high regard and Liverpool need a midfielder like him. It's obvious, he is going to be Ward's first signing at Anfield.