According to a report from Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Liverpool have entered the race to sign highly sought-after Sporting Lisbon talent Nuno Mendes – with Premier League rivals Man United also hot on his trail.
Mendes, who was recently described as the ‘best Under 19 left-back in Europe‘, is currently at the centre of heavy interest from Jurgen Klopp and co as we search for an eventual ‘successor‘ to left-back star Andrew Robertson.
Is signing a left-back one of Klopp's priorities for Liverpool?
Yes, needs to be done
No, we have Lewis and Robertson
Indeed, the £41 million-rated prodigy could be one for the future as Fenway Sports Group and the board aim to keep us at the pinnacle of English football following a superb 2020/2021 title challenge – with Liverpool now entering the race to sign him along with rivals United.
Despite Mendes’ sky high release clause, which would usually prompt the board to reconsider a swoop given our transfer policy, recent events have apparently gave clubs wiggle room in negotiations for the player – with O Jogo claiming that Sporting may well be open to selling for a reduced fee.
Since the resumption of European football after a long lay off, Mendes has worked his way into the first team squad after impressing for the Sporting youngsters over their Youth League campaign – even scoring a goal and assisting three in 17 outings according to Transfermarkt.
Following his break through, both United and Liverpool are now apparently keeping tabs on the youngster – with Sporting president Frederico Varandas claiming ‘major European clubs’ have already made ‘concrete proposals‘.
Whether or not Liverpool are one of those clubs remains to be seen, but if Klopp and Michael Edwards did manage to land Mendes, they may well have a talent on their hands.