Braga defender David Carmo could finally move to the Premier League this summer after Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool missed out on a £23 million deal a year ago, Fabrizio Romano says on his ‘Here We Go’ podcast.
Romano adds that two clubs in England’s top flight are keen on a 22-year-old who has been labelled, by some, the ‘Portuguese Virgil van Dijk’. The identity of those mystery suitors, for now, remains unknown.
But Manchester United could certainly do with some added solidity at the back. Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte, meanwhile, wants a new left-sided centre-half to fit into his favoured back three. And the left-footed Carmo would certainly fit the bill (Athletic).
It seems highly unlikely that Liverpool will be submitting another bid any time soon, however.
Klopp has Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez to choose from, with the latter offering a timely reminder of his qualities in recent weeks.
A near miss
Liverpool were willing to pay £18 million for Carmo heading into the January 2021 transfer window (AS). Braga wanted £23 million, however, and the Reds turned their attention to Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies instead.
The fact that neither player is currently part of Klopp’s squad should tell you all you need to know about how things went for Kabak and Davies at Anfield.
“David Carmo had a foot and a half at Liverpool but we ended up retaining him,” explained Braga president Antonio Salvador.
“On the day the market closed, I was looking for replacements,” adds coach Carlos Carvajal. “Because I was convinced that David Carmo would go to Liverpool,
Carmo, who has been likened to Sergio Ramos due to his ‘enormous physical capacity and tactical awareness’, recently made his return to first-team action after months on the sidelines with a fractured ankle.
He should feature against an Alfredo Morelos-less Rangers in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.
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