---
title: "Liverpool identify another Gotze alternative"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-identify-another-gotze-alternative/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Bore"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2016-06-02T22:20:38Z"
modified: "2016-06-02T22:20:38Z"
---

# Liverpool identify another Gotze alternative

Liverpool will join the race for Sporting Lisbon attacker Joao Mario after missing out on Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze, according to Portuguese publication A Bola \[via the [Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2016/06/02/liverpool-turn-attention-to-joao-mario-after-missing-out-on-mario-gotze-transfer-5920814/)\].

Mario has also attracted attention from Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United, with the former holding talks with the 23-year-old over a potential summer move last month.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp remains confident of fending off the stiff competition and landing the Portuguese international, less than a week after it was reported that Liverpool were [hoping to sign Sadio Mane](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/26/liverpool-focus-southampton-sadio-mane) from Southampton.

![Christopher Lee/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2016/06/531575256.jpg)

There is no mention of a transfer fee in the report from A Bola, but it is fair to assume Joao won’t come cheaply with three Premier League clubs circling and his contract running until [June 2020](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-mario/profil/spieler/149729).

Mario first appeared for Sporting in 2011, during a 2-0 defeat to Lazio in the Europa League, and has gone on to make 92 appearances for the Portuguese outfit, scoring 14 and assisting 17 in the process.