According to CBS Sports, Liverpool have made Renato Sanches a top target this summer as Jürgen Klopp searches for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement.
The 23-year-old shone for Portugal at EURO 2020 before they were knocked out by Belgium, following a fine season for Lille.
Sanches became a Ligue 1 winner for the very first time, beating Paris Saint-Germain to the title.
In that respect, you can see why Liverpool want him.
His efforts have also drawn attention from Arsenal, but the Reds needn’t worry.
Liverpool have Jorge Mendes on their side
Sanches is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, who has the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho on his list of clientele.
Interestingly, Mendes also represents Diogo Jota and Fabinho.
As The Athletic share, Mendes helped bring Fabinho to Anfield quietly in a deal worth £39 million.
The Athletic add that Liverpool’s relationship with Mendes has since improved, and is now pretty strong.
In that respect, you would assume Liverpool have the advantage over Arsenal in the race for Sanches.
Only time will tell if that is the case.
If the ties with Mendes weren’t enough, Liverpool can also offer Sanches Champions League football, whereas Arsenal can’t even offer him Europa League football.
Therefore, you would expect the Reds to win this race.
What can Renato Sanches offer Jürgen Klopp?
In our view, the Portuguese maestro is a perfect Klopp player.
Sanches is intense, bullish on the ball, but also has a creative edge to his play – furthermore, he’s not afraid to shoot, to say the least.
While Wijnaldum was more conservative, Sanches should provide a more exuberant option, one who gets fans off their seats a little more.
At just 23, Klopp has plenty of time to mould the former Bayern Munich midfielder into one of Europe’s best.
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