Braga boss Carlos Carvahal admitted that he expected to see David Carmo leave the Primeira Liga outfit for Liverpool during the January transfer window, while speaking to RTP.
If things had gone to plan, one of Europe’s most promising young defenders would be gearing up for a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
Instead, he is embarking on a gruelling fitness regime, plotting a return to action after breaking his leg against Porto in February.
It has certainly been a year to forget for Carmo, who was on the verge of joining Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions just weeks before suffering a fractured tibia which ended his season prematurely.
“David Carmo had one foot in Liverpool,” Carvahal, the former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday boss, admitted.
“On the day the market closed, I was looking for replacements because I was convinced that David Carmo would go to Liverpool.”
The Reds eventually brought Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak to Anfield after failing to come to an agreement with Braga.
According to AS, Liverpool offered £18 million for the tough-tackling Carmo. Braga, however, wanted a minimum of £23 million for a man who has also emerged as a target for Manchester United, Real Madrid and co.
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