Liverpool could be close to finalising a deal for Lille central midfielder Renato Sanches.
Jurgen Klopp is believed to be on the lookout for midfield reinforcements after Gini Wijnaldum left the club as a free agent last month.
Sanches has previously been linked with an Anfield switch and impressed during Euro 2020 after a Ligue 1 title-winning campaign in 2020/21.
Now, just hours after a report from French newspaper L’Equipe claimed the Reds were ‘very interested’ in the Portuguese star, journalist Pedro Almeida has claimed that a deal could be imminent on Twitter.
Twitter:
Renato #Sanches in Liverpool is almost done. The Portuguese midfielder will sign by English club for around… https://t.co/GVQZak6RZ8 (@pedrogva6)
The 23-year-old earned an impressive average Sofascore rating of 7.00 in four appearances against tough opposition before being eliminated from the European Championships by Belgium.
That form followed one goal and three assists in 23 outings as Lille lifted the French top-flight trophy against the odds.
Once described as ‘irresistible’ by Mats Hummels, the 30-cap Portugal man has already enjoyed a rollercoaster short career including spells with Bayern Munich, Benfica and an ill-fated stint on loan at Swansea.
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Valued at £27million and under contract in France until 2023 (Transfermarkt), given the financial difficulties, the mooted fee is easy to justify.
Previously the deal was reportedly regarded as ‘too expesive’, with the club looking to utilise squad options instead of a new face.
However, that stance could have changed in the short term as squad players begin to move on from Merseyside.
Boasting an abundance of attributes that make Sanches the ideal Wijnaldum replacement, the Portuguese star does hold a rather worrying injury record that would bring into question his durability.
Fitness concerns aside if the form shown at Euro 2020 is anything to go by then the Lille man would be the perfect summer arrival.
