Liverpool-linked transfer guru would find director of football role 'hard to turn down'

West Ham technical director Tim Steidten, reportedly a candidate to replace Jorg Schmadtke as Liverpool's director of football, would find it "very difficult to turn the role down", according to reports.

As per Mail Sport, Steidten has emerged as a leading contender for the role, and their sources believe that the German may find it hard to resist an approach should one materialise.

Football Insider and Sky Sport Germany also support the link to the Hammers' transfer supremo, with reports suggesting the Reds have officially set their sights on the 44-year-old, who has been making waves as the technical brain behind West Ham's recent successes.

Having only headed to East London last summer, Steidten has quickly become a key figure, orchestrating a series of impressive signings, including those of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez from Ajax, Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City and James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.

As a result, Steidten's reputation as a footballing mind has garnered interest from across Europe - and Liverpool seem keen on bringing him on board.

Links to Alonso

A former midfielder himself, Steidten boasts an impressive resume, having previously worked with German sides Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen.

At Leverkusen, his influence extended beyond the boardroom and he played a pivotal role in securing top, up-and-coming talents such as Florian Wirtz and Edmond Tapsoba.

He also oversaw the arrivals of high-profile players like Moussa Diaby, who secured a £50 million move to Aston Villa last summer, and the promising Piero Hincapie, who has become a long-term target for Liverpool for the left-sided centre-back position.

Interestingly, the German also coincided with Xabi Alonso, the leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp in the dugout. Therefore, as the Reds look to rebuild after the departures of Klopp, his coaching staff and Schmadtke, reuniting the pair on Merseyside could make a lot of sense.