Liverpool target Jerry St Juste has reportedly irritated his Sporting Lisbon bosses by confirming interest from clubs at the ‘top’ of the Premier League.
After making one of the finest defensive interventions you will see all season – St Juste showing exactly why he is the fastest player in the FIFA video game with a remarkable last-gasp challenge to deny Gabriel Martinelli in the Europa League – the former Mainz defender returned to the dressing room to find his phone ringing off the hook.
Liverpool, Record say, opened talks with St Juste following that 2-2 draw with Arsenal in Lisbon.
The Flying Dutchman did not mention Liverpool by name. But he did admit – in conversation with Voetbal Zone – that ‘interest came from the top of the Premier League after the game against Arsenal’.
Comments which reportedly did not go down too well at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Jerry St Juste
Sporting, O Jogo report, are not happy about St Juste making that ‘interest’ public. With Sporting struggling domestically – and with a make-or-break quarter-final second-lag clash with Juventus looming – Ruben Amorim’s side could probably have done without speculation surrounding another of their key players.
Especially with Pedro ‘Pote’ Goncalves, Goncalo Inacio and Amorim himself already regulars in the gossip columns.
Liverpool’s reported interest, meanwhile, raises further doubts surrounding the future of Joel Matip at Anfield. The injury-prone, soon-to-be 32-year-old centre-half has just over 12 months remaining on his contract. St Juste is younger, quicker and more versatile; capable of filling in at right-back if required.
The former Feyenoord ace has an affordable £40 million release clause in his contract.
Amorim, at least, has calmed the fears of some Sporting supporters. The 38-year-old tactician, who guided the Lisbon giants to their first Primeira Liga title in 20 years back in 2021, is committing his future to his current employers. That is despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
“I want to stay here. I’m happy here,” Amorim tells DN. “I’ve seen many coaches move to other championships and not be happy. I value what I have, and I enjoy being at Sporting.
“If I have to leave here, it’s because I was pushed (out) for another reason. But I’m not going to leave the door ajar, because I think Sporting deserves respect.
“If I want to go, I’ll tell the president and (director of football) Hugo Viana.”
St Juste has played 32 games in all competitions for Sporting this season.
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