Liverpool are thinking of a move for Lille star Renato Sanches, should Georginio Wijnaldum leave in the January transfer window.
That’s according to Le 10 Sport, who say the Premier League champions are ‘thinking of’ signing the Portuguese midfielder.
Sanches has been the star of the show for Lille this season, building on his impressive form from last season when he was named in the Team of the Season by newspaper L’Equipe.
His return to form has ‘caught the eye’ of several English clubs according to Le 10 Sport and ‘in particular’ Liverpool.
The website explain that the midfielder is showing his qualities ‘more and more’ for the Ligue 1 side and Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is an admirer.
He is ‘very attentive’ to Sanches’ performances, and his profile ‘appeals to him very much’.
They are eyeing the 23-year-old as a replacement for Wijnaldum, who could leave the club in the winter window after failing to sign a new contract in the summer.
He is free to negotiate with clubs come the beginning of January, and there is a belief Liverpool may look to sell on the cheap as opposed to losing him on a free.
Barcelona are particularly keen, and if they do make an early move to secure his signature, Sanches would become the number one option to replace him.
There is no mention of Lille’s stance, but they may have no say in the matter given their current financial crisis, which could necessitate a fire-sale of their top talent to balance the books.
That is presumably something Liverpool would be keen to take advantage of, but it seems it will all rest on whether Barcelona push to get Wijnaldum early in January.
