‘Nothing agreed’ – Italian says Renato Sanches won’t join Liverpool

Renato Sanches won’t join Liverpool.

Earlier in the week, we heard how the Portugal international had agreed to join Jurgen Klopp’s side in the January transfer window.

Lille is in some financial trouble this season and as a result, could be open to selling their best players. The French side always has, and they rely on player trading in order to keep their head above water.

There’s been a couple of different fees mooted for Renato Sanches. One report gave him a massive £63 million price tag, while others have mentioned a more affordable £18 million would be enough to seal the deal.

However, journalist Fabrizio Romano has said that nothing will happen this January. The Italian writes for the Guardian and is fairly highly rated for his insider knowledge and ability to get stories right.

One aspect that could change how Klopp views this move is Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman’s contract expires at the end of the season and it doesn’t appear as if he’ll sign a new deal.

That means Klopp will need to replace Wijnaldum in the squad next season. Could Sanches be that man? Romano implied that he might be.

Klopp could probably get by without signing another central midfielder, even if Gini leaves. With Naby Keita, Thiago and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at full fitness, there’ll be plenty of competition for places in the squad.

As Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk get back to playing games, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will be able to take their usual positions in the engine room. That’ll mean Klopp needs to fit six players into three places. Do Liverpool really need another central midfielder?

Maybe if James Milner leaves, possibly the campaign after next, then we’d need to think again. But for now, it appears as if Romano might be right about this one.