Finding a high-quality side attacker is a task for every team. This is especially true in the sense that in modern soccer, players must demonstrate multi-ability to play in any position in the attack, not simply on the side.

If the recruitment targets overlap, it is best to ultimately win the war of wits or tricks and recruit them through connections. It is the same logic that Tottenham Hotspur is trying to find a wing striker to assist Son Heung-min and is trying to recruit Jota (Al Ichtad), who had a close relationship with coach Anger Postecoglou, who led Celtic last season.

This time, Liverpool and Chelsea are focusing their attention on one player at the same time. They are drooling over Nicolas González, a winger for the Argentina national team who played for the prestigious Italian club Fiorentina for three seasons after playing in Stuttgart (Germany).

Gonzalez has 5 goals and 1 assist in 8 league games this season. Fiorentina, led by González's decisive power, is in 5th place with 5 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses, and 17 points. The gap with first place Inter Milan (22 points) was not wide by 5 points. They are only in 5th place, behind last season's champion Napoli (17 points) in goal difference.

González has scored 5 goals, the most among Fiorentina's attacking players. He is followed by midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura with 4 goals. Last season, he contributed with six goals as Fiorentina reached the finals of the European Football Federation Europa Conference League (UECL). Although they lost to West Ham United and finished in second place, Gonzalez's performance was outstanding.

What's more surprising is that he suffered from an injury right before the 2022 Qatar World Cup and sat on the bench in an evaluation match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but did not get a taste of the finals. There was no time for Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), etc. to struggle against the best resource of the time, Lionel Messi (Inter Miami).
The current Gonzalez is 180 degrees different. Regarding this, Italian media 'Calcio Mercato' reported on the 24th, 'Liverpool and Chelsea are observing Gonzalez. His ability to cut into the center from the right side with his left foot is amazing. Liverpool and Chelsea scouts have been watching Fiorentina games in recent weeks.'

The media explained that scouts from both clubs also watched the home game against Empoli that day. However, in this game, Fiorentina was caught off guard by Empoli's counterattack and lost 0-2. Gonzalez played full time.

In response to interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, who have money, Fiorentina said there would be no transfer, but drew a line saying that if they wanted, they would have to have 60 million euros (about 86 billion won). At the time of the transfer to Fiorentina, it was worth 25 million euros (about 35.8 billion won), so the value has more than doubled.

What is interesting is that Brighton and Hove Albion, which has an excellent ability to collect cost-effective players, was interested in González during his time at Stuttgart. There was also circumstantial evidence that an attempt was made to recruit Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) due to his ties to the Argentina national team when he was playing.

Now, it looks like Liverpool is trying to use Alistair to get closer to González. Whether it will be realized is uncertain. Chelsea also has Argentina national teammate Enzo Fernandez. Above all, coach Mauricio Pochettino is from Argentina, so he has considerable connections. It depends on who has a better strategy and approach.