Konaté exit could open door to Zaire-Emery arrival | OneFootball

Could Liverpool and PSG Pull Off a Rare Swap Deal?

Swap deals in football once felt like a staple of transfer windows — almost romantic in their simplicity. Two clubs, two players, mutual need — done. But in modern football’s data-driven, regulation-heavy landscape, that kind of straightforward business has become increasingly rare.

One club that has notably avoided them is Liverpool. Their recent dealings with RB Leipzig — where Fabio Carvalho moved on loan shortly after Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60 million transfer to Anfield — sparked whispers of a backdoor swap, but the club denied any formal link between the transactions.

Financial constraints under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have forced clubs to think creatively. Swap deals — which minimise cash outlay — are one such avenue, and there may be a window opening for Liverpool to take advantage of that exact model.

Liverpool must make a Konaté decision

Ibrahima Konaté, entering the final 12 months of his contract, presents a real dilemma for the Anfield hierarchy. As revealed exclusively by Anfield Watch, Paris Saint-Germain are circling. The Ligue 1 giants have identified the 24-year-old defender as a prime summer target and are ready to bring him back to France.

For Liverpool, the threat is clear: if no extension is agreed, Konaté could walk away for free in 2026. That scenario, given his quality and age, would represent a significant financial and footballing loss.

With Jürgen Klopp’s departure marking the beginning of a new chapter under Arne Slot, the club’s recruitment team may see this as an opportunity to reshape and retool — and a potential trade deal with PSG may soften the blow of losing a key centre-back.

Zaire-Emery fits Liverpool’s midfield vision

Step forward Warren Zaire-Emery — one of the most coveted young midfielders in Europe and someone Anfield Watch claims is already admired by Liverpool’s scouting team.

“Liverpool think there is a deal to be had,” the report states. “If there is, they would be willing to pay whatever it takes to land the youngster.”

The 18-year-old has drifted from PSG’s core midfield options in recent weeks, with the likes of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Desire Doué pushing him down the pecking order. His reduced role makes him an intriguing target for a club that has spent the last two years seeking a dynamic, high-potential central midfielder.

Zaire-Emery’s profile matches previous Liverpool pursuits. Moises Caicedo was almost in Red last summer, only to choose Chelsea. In January, the club explored a move for Martin Zubimendi. This persistent search for a midfield orchestrator suggests Zaire-Emery isn’t just a passing fancy.

Why a loan-swap deal makes perfect sense

A direct swap between Liverpool and PSG remains unlikely on paper — few deals are ever as straightforward in modern football. However, a structured agreement involving Konaté and Zaire-Emery, even if spread across loan deals with future options or obligations to buy, would suit both parties.

PSG get a homegrown centre-back in Konaté, who strengthens a defence that has lacked consistency. Liverpool, meanwhile, receive a top-tier midfield talent in Zaire-Emery without blowing their summer budget or violating PSR limitations.

This is not a transaction built on sentiment but on timing, talent, and financial logic. It may not be a swap in the traditional sense, but in today’s game, it could be as close as we get.

The radar chart above showcases Warren Zaïre-Emery’s performance over the past 365 days, benchmarked against full-backs, despite his natural role being in midfield. This contrast alone highlights the extraordinary nature of his metrics, which transcend traditional positional expectations and reinforce why he’s drawing strong interest from elite clubs like Liverpool.

Possession-wise, Zaïre-Emery is in elite territory. His pass completion rate (99th percentile) and passes attempted (94th percentile) place him among the very best in possession retention and distribution. His ability to progress play is just as striking — progressive passes (92nd) and progressive carries (67th) demonstrate a dual-threat capability, capable of moving the ball vertically through both passing and dribbling.

In attacking metrics, his non-penalty xG (90th percentile) and non-penalty goals (70th percentile) indicate a high goal threat, rare for a player often deployed deeper in midfield. With shot-creating actions in the 82nd percentile, he’s actively involved in the final third, linking midfield to attack with regularity.

Defensively, Zaïre-Emery is no passenger. While his blocks (1st percentile) are low — typical for a possession-dominant player — his tackles and interceptions (77th) and dribbler tackle rate (40th) suggest an active presence when out of possession, particularly in transition scenarios. His clearances (50th) and aerial duels (31st) further support the image of a balanced, all-phase contributor.

Overall, this chart illustrates a midfielder with the statistical range to dictate tempo, progress play, contribute to goals, and still perform defensively. For Liverpool, targeting a player with such a rounded profile — especially one showing this output while being judged against full-backs — would be a forward-thinking move.