Liverpool tipped to brush aside transfer rivals in race for Ligue 1 talent
Liverpool could beat AC Milan to the signing of Lille midfielder Renato Sanches in this summer’s transfer window, a report has claimed.
The Reds brought in a marquee midfield signing last summer, with Thiago Alcantara arriving from Bayern Munich.
However, reports have suggested that they will look to replace the outgoing Georginio Wijnaldum this time round. The Dutchman is into the final few months of his contract, but has shown no signs of renewal.
As such, several players have popped up as potential targets, including Florian Neuhaus and Rodrigo de Paul.
According to Calciomercato, though, it is Sanches who ‘seems destined’ to wear a Liverpool shirt from next season.
The report adds that the Reds could beat Milan to the 23-year-old‘s signing. There is no mention of a price range, but Transfermarkt values him at just over £25million.
Liverpool are tipped to brush aside Milan, despite the Serie A giants keeping the player on their radar.
Portugal international Sanches began his career at Benfica, before switching to Bayern Munich.
In the summer of 2017, the midfielder signed up to a loan at Swansea. However, he struggled to adapt to the Premier League.
Nevertheless, he has sprung into life since signing for Lille in 2019. He played every minute of Lille’s last nine Ligue 1 games last term, before the French authorities curtailed the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This term, meanwhile, he started off in solid fashion before picking up a muscle injury in November. Since then, he has failed to complete a 90-minute stint.
Sanches’ contract in France runs out in the summer of 2023.
Benitez has ‘unfinished’ Liverpool business
Meanwhile, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague says that Rafael Benitez has “unfinished business” at Liverpool.
The Spaniard spent six years at Anfield, winning the Champions League and the FA Cup.
But while the circumstances are currently not right for him to return to the Reds, Balague believes he could in the future.
