Liverpool ‘definitely’ ready to pursue £25m-rated Arsenal target this summer
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With the likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner now in their thirties, and duo Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade -Chamberlain both having less than a year-and-a-half left on their current deals, there’s a pressing need for the Reds to bring in a fresh face or two.
Lille midfielder Renato Sanches is a player who's been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in recent months, and it appears that the Reds could be ready to make their move at the end of the season.
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Football transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has been discussing Sanches' future on the ‘Que Golazo' podcast. He revealed: “Last summer, Arsenal, Barcelona and Liverpool were three clubs seriously interested in Renato Sanches.
“So I would keep them on the list (of transfer targets) because Renato Sanches is the kind of player you keep on your list for a long time. He’s not the kind of player you use for a panic buy.”
“Yes (he will be of interest to the aforementioned clubs), in the summer.”
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Hide AdBy the sounds of things, then, the Reds are ready to up their efforts to bring in the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder.
What type of player is Sanches?
Is he the type of player who once accidentally passed the ball to an advertising hoarding bearing the Carabao logo thinking it was a teammate? Yes, but hey, all players make mistakes!
And in fairness, he picked that red water buffalo symbol out quite beautifully.
Barring that one, admittedly hilarious blunder made during a spell on loan with Swansea City, he's really upped his game in the subsequent years.
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Hide AdGiven his versatility and ability to remain composed and hold on to the ball, he could be an ideal successor to Georginio Wijnaldum.
Sanches also boasts the relentless stamina needed to play a box-to-box style role, and would surely thrive in whichever position Jurgen Klopp would opt to field him in.
After struggling to break into Bayern Munich's first team, the Portugal international - who dazzled for his country at last summer's Euro 2020 tournament - reignited his career with Lille in Ligue 1.
It's worth noting that the player does have a history with hamstring and knee injuries, but will be hopeful of putting them behind him and pushing on with his career with a clean bill of health.
Are any other clubs keen on Sanches?
You can bet your bottom dollar there are.
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Hide AdWolves, who love a Portuguese signing, were said to be close to signing him last summer, and were also linked with a move in January.
Arsenal are also believed to be keen on the 24-year-old, as they too require an injection of energy in their midfield.
Elsewhere away from the English top tier, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are understood to be keen admirers of the former Benfica wonderkid.
Evidently, securing the signing of Sanches won’t be a walk in the park for the Reds, with plenty of rival suitors poised to make an offer.