Brendan Rodgers is keen for reported Celtic and Newcastle United target Sidnei Tavares to extend his contract at Leicester City, speaking to the Mercury.
If you’re a young player looking to make your way in the game, there’s no better sight than the pearly white smile of this enigmatic Irishman.
Kieran Tierney, Odsonne Edouard, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Moussa Dembele all made huge strides under Rodgers while, at Leicester, James Maddison, James Justin, Youri Tielemans and co have gone from promising starlets to elite-level difference-makers.
And if Tavares knows what’s good for him, he will put pen to paper on a new long-term deal in an instant.
“He’s obviously a talented boy,” Rodgers says of the 19-year-old Portuguese ace, who is due to become a free agent in July.
“Any player from a football perspective will see this as a great environment to have that opportunity to play.
“There are discussions going on (over a new contract) between Jon (Rudkin, director of football) and his representatives and family.
“From a football perspective, he enjoys being here. You can see how much I think of him, having him around the squad at this time and sticking him into an important game.
“From a football perspective, he’s in a really good place here.”
According to The Sun, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Rodgers’ old employers Celtic are queuing up to sign Tavares on a free transfer. The Portugal U19 international also has admirers at Newcastle (Noticias ao Minuto).
“He has great qualities. He’s 6ft 2in, has a wonderful view of the game, he covers the ground well, he can see a pass, he has a nice touch,” Rodgers adds, four days after Tavares made his senior debut in Leicester’s Europa League defeat to Slavia Prague.
“He needs to get stronger. He needs to have a greater physicality to compete – but he has potential.
“He came on (against Slavia) and he showed he has confidence. He has to continue working very hard to be in this squad.
“He has big potential for me so it was good to see him out on the field playing.”
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