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Liverpool transfers: The 5 best alternatives to Naby Keita

By David Gate

SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 19: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal FC of Arsenal FC competes for the ball with Renato Sanches of FC Bayern during the 2017 International Champions Cup football match between FC Bayern and Arsenal FC at Shanghai Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 19: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal FC of Arsenal FC competes for the ball with Renato Sanches of FC Bayern during the 2017 International Champions Cup football match between FC Bayern and Arsenal FC at Shanghai Stadium on July 19, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /
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Sanches Naby Keita Liverpool Transfers
SINGAPORE – JULY 27: Renato Sanches /

Renato Sanches

If we are to move on from Naby Keita and sign an alternative then we can’t just sign any old player. The midfielders we already have are pretty good and if we just needed another player we would have kept Lucas Leiva.

Renato Sanches is a lot more than just another player. He is a Portuguese title winner with Benfica as well as Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich. Most impressively on his resumé is winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship with Portugal. He was not a periphery figure for the side. The youngster was a key part of the midfield that took the title, showing great creativity and defensive discipline in the process.

For his efforts in that tournament he was awarded the Young Player of the tournament prize. Despite a poor year at Bayern Munich he is still one of Europe’s most talented young midfielders. At still only 19-years-old there is plenty of time for him to develop into a player worthy of his gifts. Who better than Jurgen Klopp to help him get there?

One of the most appealing things about this transfer is his availability. He is on the transfer market for £43 million; only a little more than what Bayern paid for him a year ago. The difficulty with this transfer will be other clubs who are interested. First in line is Manchester United.

One of the most exciting things about the Keita transfer was that he wants to come to Liverpool. Klopp will have to apply that same magic here is we are to be the ones who grab this creative starlet.