Sizeable Liverpool bid for star teenager rejected but Anfield switch remains on cards

Nuno Mendes

Liverpool had a bid worth around £20million for Sporting left-back Nuno Mendes rejected in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

The Reds had targeted support for Andy Robertson as a top priority ahead of the new season. Indeed, they went on to sign Greece international Kostas Tsmikas from Olympiacos.

Prior to his arrival, though, other names became associated with a potential transfer to Anfield. Norwich rejected an offer for Jamal Lewis, who went on to move to Newcastle.

According to O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Liverpool’s list of left-back targets also included Mendes. What’s more, the source says that the Reds made a firm offer of €22million (£19.9million).

But Sporting rejected that proposal, citing the 18-year-old’s €45million (£40.7million) release clause.

While Manchester United and Real Madrid are also among Mendes’ potential suitors, the Portuguese outlet states that Liverpool remain the only team to have come forward with a bid.

Despite Sporting referring Liverpool to Mendes’ €45million release clause, the club have plans to increase that figure.

Indeed, O Jogo adds that Mendes will sign a new contract ‘next week’. That extension will take his exit fee up to €70million.

In addition, the left-back’s salary will improve ‘substantially’. However, the report adds that Liverpool’s interest will remain, regardless of the left-back’s new terms.

Mendes only broke into Sporting’s first team at the end of last season. However, he has since appeared in all but one of his team’s league matches and stepped up to Portugal’s Under-21 ranks in September.

Klopp responds to Salah comments

Mohamed Salah

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refused to open up about Mohamed Salah’s recent comments.

Egyptian winger Salah vented his frustration at his manager for not handing him the captaincy in the Champions League dead rubber with Midtjylland.

What’s more, he admitted that he could not rule out a move to Spain in the near future.

But Klopp was keen to shut down the comments when speaking after his side’s 7-0 rout of Crystal Palace.

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