Liverpool prepare late bid for long-time Man United target

Joe Williams

Liverpool are preparing to make a late move for Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches, according to reports.

Sanches only made 17 appearances in the Bundesliga last season after moving to the Allianz Arena for €35million last summer in a deal that could rise to €80million depending on objectives.

Despite his form and lack of first-team opportunities under Carlo Ancelotti, he is still reportedly attracting interest from AC Milan and Manchester United.

And Kicker claims that because of their Champions League qualification, Liverpool have now joined the chase for Sanches – who will be made available for loan.

Jurgen Klopp has brought in Dominic Solanke, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson but reported potential deals for Naby Keita and Virgil van Dijk have yet to come to fruition.

United boss Jose Mourinho has signed Nemanja Matic this summer as his big midfield transfer but the Portuguese coach has previously tried to sign Sanches and spoke about him at the end of last season.

“We want the young boys to play and to perform” Mourinho told reporters in April. “At the same time, the best teams want to win and it is difficult to win with the learning curve of the young boys.

“You go to other clubs where young players are being developed. It’s easy when there is no pressure playing in mid-table where you can win today, lose tomorrow. It’s different at big clubs.

“There is a Portuguese kid, Renato Sanches, who is a European champion. But he doesn’t play in Bayern Munich.

“The last match he played, they lost to Hoffenheim. Will he play in the Champions League quarter-finals? I have my doubts. You know, there are contradictions in all of us.”