Earlier today, we covered an article in the French media claiming Liverpool were interested in Renato Sanches.
It came from Le10 Sport, who stated the Premier League side, through Jürgen Klopp, were ‘very attentive’ to the Portuguese midfielder’s performances, eyeing him as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who has yet to renew his contract at Anfield.
At the time, we didn’t know what Lille’s stance on the matter might be, but speculated that since they are currently in the middle of a financial mess, they might be open to a sale.
L’Equipe have a bit more information on what’s going on in the north of France, explaining the Elliott Management Corporation, the current main backers at the club, have been putting pressure on the president, Gerard Lopez, to undergo a complete financial state of affairs.
Talks to that effect started on Tuesday, and with everything going in France, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Mediapro scandal affecting TV money owed to clubs, added to the fact Lille still owed them €123m, the investment fund were worried they weren’t going to get the money back by its due date (next summer).
This has led to the French newspaper reporting Lopez will be selling the club to some new investors, Callisto Sporting SARL, who will take on the debt from Elliott and restructure everything themselves.
Either way, in order to find some money quickly, certain assets could be sold, as explained by La Voix du Nord, especially when three expected departures (those of Jonathan Ikoné, Adama Soumaoro and Boubakary Soumaré) never happened.
That’s where Renato Sanches comes in, with the local newspaper claiming his departure in January ‘isn’t excluded’, especially when an unnamed Premier League side were ready to offer €70m for his services in the summer.
This fell under the ‘what if Gerard Lopez remains as president’ section of their article, but there’s a strong chance the new investors will want to see some quick money back if they can get it as early as next month.
Taking into account his new run of form and rise in French football, Sanches could still fetch a hefty price, which would go a long way in helping find a chunk of the debt taken on by Callisto.
There’s nothing definitive here, but it’s fair to say Lille’s situation is anything but comfortable right now, and if Liverpool come knocking with a nice bid in the coming weeks, it could be incredibly welcome.
