Michael Edwards 'closing in on sensational Liverpool return' in revolutionary new role

Michael Edwards is close to agreeing a return to Liverpool, according to reports - but will not take up his previous role as sporting director.

Edwards officially left Liverpool in May 2022, having played a key role in recruiting the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker under the management of Jurgen Klopp.

He announced he would be taking a sabbatical from football - and has thus far yet to take up a new role within the sport.

Edwards did reportedly reject Chelsea's advances in the summer of 2022, when co-owner Todd Boehly looking for the perfect figure to lead his new project at Stamford Bridge.

He was linked with a return to the Reds earlier this week, with Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group wanting to lure him back to the club to lead the post-Klopp era at Anfield. However, it was said that he was not keen on the opportunity.

But now, according to The Athletic, talks have entered an advanced stage with Edwards, who would take a 'far broader' than the sporting director position he previously held.

Getty

It is claimed that FSG are targeting Edwards for a senior role in their own structure, which would include the 44-year-old 'taking oversight of the club's football operations'.

And furthermore, the report adds that the sporting director role at the club, if Edwards is appointed, would likely be filled by the recently-departing former Bournemouth chief Richard Hughes.

However, a deal is not said to be done yet, with a 'definitive resolution' expected early next week.

Liverpool have been on the lookout for a new sporting director since the end of January, with previous incumbent Jorg Schmadtke's departure announced shortly after Klopp's own exit plan that month.

He took over from Julian Ward, who originally succeeded Edwards before stepping away from the role after just one season, last June.

Ward has been linked with becoming part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recruitment restructure at Manchester United, although the role he would take up is currently unclear.