Liverpool, Arsenal eye adaptable ace as key figures prepare crunch decision
Goncalo Guedes is attracting interest from Liverpool and Arsenal following a positive start to the season with Valencia, according to reports.
Guedes is now in his fifth season with Valencia after joining them from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. He has started all eight of their La Liga games so far, providing two goals and two assists. But with a contract expiring in 2023, he could leave next year so his club recoups a fee.
The Portugal international has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a while. Wolves were the most recent English club to be linked with Guedes in August. But like his current club, they wouldn’t be able to offer him European football just yet.
The situation is different, though, for Liverpool, while Arsenal will be aiming to get back among that calibre of club sooner rather than later. They are now both said to possess an interest in the attacking midfielder.
According to Spanish site Fichajes, Guedes could be a perfect fit for Premier League football. With that in mind, Liverpool and Arsenal are apparently attentive to his situation.
Both clubs have been looking for attacking midfielders or wingers. Liverpool need someone who can offer more support for their front three, for example. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all approaching 30 years of age.
As for Arsenal, they managed to sign Martin Odegaard and tie Emile Smith Rowe to a long-term contract this summer. But extra options, particularly out wide, would be useful.
Guedes has even adapted his game this season to be able to play as a central striker. That versatility would no doubt appeal to both Liverpool and Arsenal.
Whether he can secure a transfer to the Premier League, though, remains up for question until the new year. Valencia’s owners and coach Pepe Bordalas will have a say on whether they ought to cash in on the former PSG talent.
Turning 25 in November, Guedes is getting towards the prime years of his career. It remains to be seen where exactly he will spend them.
Liverpool have two forward options
Other than Guedes, a recent report named two players Liverpool are keeping in mind to strengthen their attack.
It has been claimed they are going head to head with Bayern Munich for the signature of RB Salzburg forward Karim Adeyemi.
Liverpool shortlist RB Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi and Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma
Liverpool have reportedly shortlisted RB Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi and Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma as potential targets, with more updates on Brighton's Yves Bissouma and Pogon Szczecin'a Kacper Kozlowski.
Adeyemi previously was an academy player at Bayern and they now want him back after a prolific start to the season. But Liverpool are also keen and links have been increasing in volume recently.
Even so, Bayern would seem to be his preference, so Liverpool may have to consider alternatives.
One may be Arnaut Danjuma, who has coped well with the step up from Championship side Bournemouth to Champions League outfit Villarreal.
He would cost around £21m and the Daily Express think Liverpool are watching.
Luis Diaz of Porto and Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina are also options as Liverpool consider different profiles between wingers and centre-forwards.
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