The president of Sao Paulo insists that Premier League giants Liverpool have not yet made an offer for Lucas Beraldo despite reports of a potential £20 million switch to Anfield.
Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade is not, it seems, the only Brazil-based rising star on Jurgen Klopp’s winter wishlist.
Liverpool have scouted the Copa Libertadores winner on numerous occasions over the last 18 months, and may soon pick up where they left off in the summer when Andre turned down a potential £26 million move to Anfield.
According to reports, the Merseyside giants could part with a further £20 million for Lucas Beraldo. They have allegedly held talks with the Sao Paulo chiefs in South America.
Jorge Nicola, one of the most respected sources in Brazilian football, does expect Beraldo to be on his way in January. But will Anfield be his destination?
Liverpool reportedly chasing Lucas Beraldo
“I spoke with Julio Caseres, the president of Sao Paulo, and with someone from Beraldo’s staff (one of his representatives). Julio said that, so far, absolutely nothing has arrived. Neither an enquiry or an offer (from Liverpool),” Nicola explains via his YouTube channel, indicating that reports of a £20 million fee may also be wide of the mark.
“The person from Beraldo’s staff also doesn’t believe in (reports of) such large figures.”
“I think Beraldo will be sold in the next transfer window, at the end of our season here (in Brazil). Sao Paulo needs the money but this value seems very high to me.”
Another left-sided centre-half on Klopp’s radar
A very modern, ball-playing centre-half, 19-year-old Beraldo is the latest in a long line of left-footed defenders to be mentioned in conjunction with a potential switch to Anfield. Liverpool reportedly looked at Rennes’ Arthur Theate and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill over the summer.
Their interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Ecuadorian stopper Piero Hincapie, meanwhile, has also been confirmed by the youngster’s agent.
“Liverpool were interested in him,” Manuel Sierra tells Futbol Sin Casette. “But, at that time, they chose to invest in the midfield.
“For January, they are talking (with Hincapie), like other clubs. (To sign him, you will have to pay) no less than £50 million.”
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