Liverpool links with rising star Brazilian shut down as ‘lies’, as club chief reiterates thrilling potential

Liverpool have no current interest or have not made any proposals of any kind for Joao Gomes, according to Flamengo’s vice-president.

The spotlight has well and truly been on the Reds’ midfield after something of a summer transfer saga in that area. Injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara initially started off a domino effect.

In the end, Jurgen Klopp performed a U-turn over his stoic stance on a new midfielder. Arthur Melo was the last-minute recruit on loan from Juventus.

Midway through August, Flamengo’s rising star Gomes announced that it was a “dream” of his to play for Liverpool.

Since then, the Anfield club have had links with a swoop for the 21-year-old, who they have reportedly monitored for a while.

However, Gomes recently signed a new Flamengo deal until 2027. What’s more, the Brazilian club’s vice-president Marcos Braz has put to bed any lingering links between the midfielder and Liverpool.

“There was no proposal for Joao Gomes, there was no consultation for him,” Braz told ESPN Brazil.

“So, it’s a lot of lies that have been propagated about Joao Gomes since the beginning of these renewal issues. But if you ask me if next year, in the middle of the year, I think there will be something, I’ll say: ‘I think’.

“Due to the size of the player, for what he has become, for being a player, today, Flamengo’s starter.”

Flamengo confident of Joao Gomes stay

Braz added that he is confident Gomes is where he wants to be as he advances his career with one of his country’s top clubs.

“So, it’s natural for the market out there to pass a magnifying glass over this player, but there’s nothing,” the club chief said.

“We are very happy and I am absolutely sure that he is very happy with the Flamengo board.”

Gomes, who is typically a defensive midfielder but can operate further forward and out wide, has played 106 games for Flamengo.

He has been on the fringes of the Brazil team, but last got a sniff at Under-20 level.

This season, Gomes has played 20 Brazilian Serie A games and has featured heavily in the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.

His new terms have secured his future in his home country, which continues to produce some of the world’s top talents.

Liverpool on right track with midfielder

Liverpool may not be on to a deal for Gomes, but they are certainly on the right track if they do hold an interest in him.

The Reds have an ageing midfield which has been exposed this season – and the problem needs resolving.

There is of course the strong interest in Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham.

However, Gomes would be an exciting second addition who could add to the Brazilian contingent at Anfield.

Liverpool track their targets for a while – they watched Luis Diaz’s rise until making a move for the winger after he announced himself at Porto. Meanwhile, Klopp wanted Mane when he was at Borussia Dortmund and the winger was at RB Salzburg.

Liverpool are no doubt watching his progress closely to see how he develops in the coming seasons.