Liverpool could reportedly sign Renato Sanches from Lille in the ongoing transfer window but will have to shell out €40-42 million to do so.
According to a report from French transfer expert Mohamed TOUBACHE-TER on Twitter, Liverpool remain interested in signing LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, who could be allowed to leave this summer. However, the Ligue 1 outfit will demand a transfer of at least €40-42 million for the Portuguese international.
Sanches has turned his career around brilliantly after a disastrous stint with Bayern Munich. Since arriving at Lille from the Bavarian giants in 2019, the 23-year-old has slowly built back his confidence and grown into a key player for Les Dogues, helping them to the Ligue 1 title last season.
On the back of his exploits for the French champions, Sanches also forced his way back into the Portuguese national teams and was one of their better performers during their short stay at the UEFA Euro 2020. And his exploits with club and country have put Sanches back on the radars of several top clubs, with Barcelona, Tottenham and Liverpool, all interested.
Liverpool’s interest in the 23-year-old midfielder stems from the need to replace Georginio Wijnaldum. The long-term midfield mainstay at Anfield left the club this summer after running his contract down. Having signed for PSG on a free transfer, the Dutchman has left a massive void in the Reds’ squad, which needs to be filled this summer.
Furthermore, with the futures of both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita not entirely secure, it further accentuates the need for the signing of a new central midfielder for Jurgen Klopp & co.
While a host of players have been linked over the past couple of months, Sanches’ name has been constantly doing the rounds. And, it seems like the Reds could be able to sign the 23-year-old Portuguese international now, with Lille open to a sale. Indeed, as per the report, the Ligue 1 champions would consider offloading their midfield asset, but only for a transfer fee of €40-42 million.
What now remains to be seen is whether Liverpool are willing to match those figures or turn their focus elsewhere. The Reds have most recently been linked with a move for AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a younger and cheaper alternative that Klopp & co. could consider.
With their rivals making big moves in the market Liverpool cannot risk being left behind. With just three weeks left for the transfer window to slam shut, the Merseyside giants will need to act swiftly and bring in a midfielder, and potentially a new forward as well.
