6 players Michael Edwards has 'left behind' on Liverpool transfer shortlist

Last month, Liverpool's sporting director Michael Edwards announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Edwards has overseen many transfers during his time at the Anfield, signing Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and many more.

One of his best deals was agreeing a reported £41million fee with Wolves for Diogo Jota in September 2020.

Since then, the Portuguese forward has scored 17 goals in 33 Premier League games and appears to have a bright future at Liverpool.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Jota was one of several players the Reds were interested in that window.

Here, Mirror Football look at some of the other transfer rumours from the summer of 2020 to discover who else was on Edwards' transfer list.

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Jonathan David

Lille signed David from Belgian outfit Gent for £25m in August 2020 following interest from Liverpool.

The forward, 21, has gone on to become a star in France, scoring 24 goals in 54 Ligue 1 appearances to help Lille win the title last term.

Liverpool are reportedly still keen on David, who represents Canada at international level, and are considering a £30m bid.

Although Edwards missed out on the player 18 months ago, he could still become a Liverpool star.

Timo Werner

Shortly before his move to Chelsea, Werner was linked with Liverpool.

The striker, 25, completed a £47.5m move from RB Leipzig to Stamford Bridge in June 2020 after a phone call from then manager Frank Lampard.

"Timo was a big one because Liverpool had wanted him, Manchester United were in," revealed Lampard last week.

"We knew there were three or four other big clubs, so when I had the conversation with Timo, I knew I had to be on my game to try and get him to come."

Jurgen Klopp may still get the chance to welcome Werner to Anfield, as his move to Chelsea hasn't worked out as hoped.

The Germany international has managed just seven goals in 43 Premier League appearances.

Adama Traore

Jota was not the only Wolves player Liverpool were linked with in the summer of 2020.

Edwards was reportedly interested in Traore after he produced nine Premier League assists in 2019-20.

"He [Traore] is unplayable in moments, it's unbelievable," said Klopp in 2020. "What a player - it's not only him but he's so good."

Traore's transfer fee would've been similar to Jota's and perhaps Liverpool decided against the move due to his lack of goals.

The former Barcelona ace has scored just seven goals in 117 Premier League appearances for Wolves.

Jota was far more prolific during his three-year spell at Molineux, finding the back of the net 44 times in all competitions.

Ansu Fati

Barcelona manager Xavi is delighted to see Fati back in action an 11-month injury lay-off, scoring three goals in five La Liga games this term.

The 19-year-old recently signed a new long-term contract at the Nou Camp after months of speculation about his future.

Liverpool, along with rivals Manchester Untied, were said to be in the race for his signature before he decided to stay in Spain.

The Reds have little chance of signing Fati in the future, as he reportedly has a staggering €1billion release clause - around £850m.

Erling Haaland

Liverpool, along with many other top European clubs, continue to be linked with Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

The striker, 21, has scored 51 goals in as many Bundesliga games since joining the German outfit from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

The Reds were first linked with Haaland in the summer of 2020 but didn't come close to agreeing a deal with Dortmund.

The Norwegian would've cost a lot more than £41m and his value has rocketed during the last 18 months.

He reportedly has a €75m release clause, around £63.8m, but his wages and agent fees could cost his next club a staggering £336m.

Haaland's hefty valuation will deter many clubs, although Steve McManaman believes Liverpool should still make a move.

"If Liverpool have the money then they're better off going for Erling Haaland because he's already proven and it will be worth it in the long run," he said last month.

Kylian Mbappe

Rumours linking the Reds with Mbappe were rife before Jota's transfer.

"They have made winning look easy but the truth is that it is never easy," said the World Cup winner while discussing Liverpool in the summer of 2020.

"Performances like they have been having don't just happen. To be as ruthless as they have been would come from lots of hard work in training and from having a very good manager."

The transfer never materialised but it still could, with Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain contract expiring in the summer.

Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites to sign the 22-year-old, although Liverpool can open formal negotiations from January.