🔥 Man United Rejected & Southgate Connection Revealed: Inside Liverpool’s Clever Free Transfer Coup!

🔥 Southgate Interest & United Snub: Stunning Twist in Liverpool’s Surprise Free Transfer Move! 🔴

Liverpool have wrapped up another smart bit of transfer business that speaks volumes about the club’s summer strategy — but it’s the surrounding circumstances of Freddie Woodman’s arrival that make it even more compelling.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper joins on a free transfer from Preston North End, where he made 138 appearances and was named Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season.

Paul Joyce of The Times reports that Liverpool are poised to sign Freddie Woodman on a free transfer from Preston North End as part of their ongoing overhaul of the goalkeeping department.

The deal has also been confirmed via Liverpoolfc.com, with the former England youth international set to join the squad for pre-season training next month.

What adds a twist to the move is that Manchester United were reportedly considering Woodman too, before choosing to extend 39-year-old Tom Heaton’s contract instead, as reported by The Lancashire Post.

That decision highlights Liverpool’s forward-thinking approach to recruitment — especially under Arne Slot, who’s clearly reshaping the goalkeeper setup around Alisson and incoming No.2 Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Woodman Signing Gives Liverpool UEFA Squad List Boost

Woodman’s arrival isn’t just about adding experienced depth.

Thanks to spending over three years in England between the ages of 15 and 21, the former Newcastle and Swansea goalkeeper qualifies as association-trained. That key detail means he won’t occupy one of Liverpool’s limited 17 non-homegrown slots on the UEFA squad list — a major advantage as the club targets high-profile signings like Florian Wirtz.

With Vitezslav Jaros now on loan at Ajax and Harvey Davies heading to Crawley Town, Liverpool needed a third senior goalkeeper. Woodman, a 2017 U20 World Cup winner with England, checks all the boxes.

Adding an extra layer of intrigue: he’s the godson of England boss Gareth Southgate and son of Bromley manager Andy Woodman.

Together with the signings of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin Pecsi, this move reflects the deliberate restructuring of Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. It may not be headline-grabbing, but it could end up being a quietly crucial addition for the long campaign ahead.