Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly singled out Sporting Lisbon left-back Nuno Mendes as a player he wants at the club, according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.
The 18-year-old has a £40m release clause and the report claims Klopp has asked the Reds hierarchy to make the money available after holding a long-time interest.
Fellow Premier League club Leicester City are also linked with the Portuguese teenager – who made his league debut last season – but the German wants to ‘get ahead’ in the race to sign the player.
Mendes has made 19 first team appearances as well as winning four Portugal under-21 caps, all before his 19th birthday.
Often used as a left midfielder at Sporting, Mendes has all the attributes Klopp likes in a full-back – including an ability to deliver accurate crosses, something that Liverpool incumbent Andy Robertson does better than most in the world.
Perhaps the most staggering claim from the report comes surrounding Greek international Kostas Tsimikas, who arrived as Robertson’s deputy from Olympiacos in August but has struggled with a combination of injury and lack of opportunities so far.
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Whilst the age of Mendes and his regular first team action make the deal an attractive one for Klopp, the money involved, combined with the trusting manager having to already give up hope on Tsimikas, doesn’t add up.
When Robertson first arrived from Hull City it took a while for him to become a first team regular at Anfield. Although Tsimikas may only ever remain an understudy who plays in cup competitions, the likelihood of the Reds shelling out upwards of £50m across a season solely on left-backs seems highly unlikely.
