As we continue seeing Premier League clubs being linked to Sporting fullback Nuno Mendes, newspaper A Bola today brings the latest on the Lions’ position in this situation.
The outlet takes recent claims from England which say the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United are ‘insisting’ on following the 18-year-old, and claims the Lisbon side are prepared in case bids arrive.
A Bola first says these observations haven’t been happening in Portugal due to the pandemic protocols. Still, Sporting are aware of the situation, as they know the clubs involved in the race.
The Lions are said to be convinced they won’t let the player go ‘at any price’, as the only way to take him out of Avalade with no negotiation is to trigger his €70m release clause.
It’s said any other bid below that will be subject to ‘analysis, and eventually, negotiation’. Sporting know the risk of losing him and that’s why they signed Matheus Reis from Rio Ave in January as a backup.
Even though Manchester United and Liverpool have both been linked to Mendes for a while, it’s probably the Reds who had their interest highlighted most lately. Last week, the Portuguese media even recalled that Jurgen Klopp’s side made a €22m offer for him in the summer.
At that time, it was newspaper O Jogo saying Sporting are ready to sell the player, as long as they get something close to €70m for the move. But then we’d have to see if Liverpool are willing to raise their bid that much.
