Liverpool have set their sights on LOSC Lille star Renato Sanches as their desired replacement for the Barcelona-linked Gini Wijnaldum.
According to an exclusive report from Todofichajes, Liverpool are preparing themselves for life without Georginio Wijnaldum next season. The midfielder’s existing contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, with the club now starting to monitor multiple players in search of a potential replacement in the summer.
Renato Sanches is believed to be topping the list of candidates for the Premier League giants in their bid to find a replacement for Wijnaldum. The LOSC Lille midfielder could cost a fortune, but it appears the club could take advantage of the economic crisis inflicted on France football, thanks to the pandemic. The player is valued around €40 million.
Liverpool’s interest in the Portuguese international is certainly an exciting one for the fans, but it also serves as a major boost for Barcelona as well. The Spanish giants are heavily linked with a move for Wijnaldum, with Ronald Koeman keen on a potential reunion next season after the pair worked together in the Netherlands national team.
As for Sanches, he seems to have revived his career following a torrid spell at Bayern Munich that saw him struggle to get game-time. He is now a key first-team player for Lille, having built a formidable midfield partnership alongside the likes of Boubakary Soumare and Benjamin Andre.
The 23-year-old’s progress in the ongoing campaign has been halted by a muscle injury. But, he has recovered from his lack of fitness and is set to play a key role during the second half of the campaign. Liverpool will surely be keeping close tabs on his performances, as the Portuguese looks to pick up from where he had left midway through the season.
From a tactical perspective, Sanches could be an ideal replacement for Wijnaldum. His dynamism and athleticism tunes in well with Jurgen Klopp’s footballing philosophy, with the midfielder also quite effective when it comes to squeezing through tight spaces.
The former Benfica star had a difficult time at the Allianz Arena, but with the help of former Bayern Munich teammate Thiago, as well as other midfielders like Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones, Sanches could indeed make an impact at Anfield next season.
