Liverpool want starlet Nuno Mendes – say multiple sources.
Jurgen Klopp is currently thinking about the best way to beat Chelsea during Liverpool’s final home game of the season, but transfer news rumbles on in the background.
We’ve seen reports coming out linking sporting director Michael Edwards with a bid for Lille forward Victor Osimhen, while Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren have been the subject of their transfer stories.
There are still gaps in the squad that need to be filled, and Nuno Mendes has been tipped as the man to do that.
We all know that Andy Robertson needs a back-up, while the need to find an understudy for Trent Alexander-Arnold is less pressing thanks to Neco Williams’ breakthrough.
There’ve been several stories in Portugal that pin Mendes and Liverpool together.
Correio da Manha and O Jogo have both reported that the Reds are interested in the 18-year-old, who has a release clause of £41 million.
After 17 games for Sporting CP’s youth sides, the defender has recently broken through into the first team and has made eight games in the Portuguese top flight.
Six of those eight have been starts, and seven of them came in a midfield role. That indicates Mendes would have the attacking ability to play as a left-back in Klopp’s side.
With James Milner getting older and Joe Gomez moving away from his occasional left-back appearance, Liverpool are in serious need of reinforcements in this position.
Yasser Larouci appeared like he was to be given a chance to learn from Robertson, but has taken matters into his own hands and will leave the club when the transfer window opens.
That release clause is huge, but the financial impacts of COVID-19 could create a buyers’ market and that may allow Liverpool to sign the starlet for a lower fee.