Jermaine Jenas has raved about reported Liverpool target Renato Sanches on BBC One (9:49pm, June 23, 2021).
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was impressed by the performance of Sanches during Portugal’s 2-2 draw with France in Euro 2020 on Wednesday evening.
What Jermaine Jenas said
Jenas said in the 87th minute of the match on BBC One (9:49pm, June 23, 2021) when Sanches was being substituted: “He has been terrific. He has definitely added a lot to that midfield that they were missing the other night against the Germans.
“You have to give him a lot of credit. A lot of people here in England saw what the player went through when he was at Swansea, a hugely low place, the way he has rebuilt himself back to up to where he is now on the world stage shows he has got a lot of character.”
Liverpool interest
Well-known and well-respected journalist Fabrizio Romano first reported interest from Liverpool in Sanches on CBS Sports in February 2021.
The Italian journalist claimed that the former Premier League champions were looking at the Lille midfielder as a potential replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.
Wijnaldum recently joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Calciomercato subsequently reported that the 23-year-old midfielder is destined to join Liverpool.
We covered the report here on HITC Sport at the time.
How did Renato Sanches play?
Sanches did not have the best of times at Bayern Munich, and his loan spell at Swansea City in 2017-18 was underwhelming as well.
However, the Portugal international has revived himself at Lille and helped them win the Ligue 1 title last season.
The 23-year-old made 14 starts and nine substitute appearances in Ligue 1 and made four starts and one substitute appearance in the Europa League.
The youngster was brilliant for Portugal in their match against France at the European Championship last night.
Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo scored both the goals, but it was Sanches who kept things ticking for Portugal in midfield.
The former Benfica star imposed himself in the middle of the park, did well against Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante in midfield, worked hard, played some good passes, and held his own.
Sanches cost Lille €25 million (£21.36 million) in transfer fees in 2019, as reported by AS at the time.
Liverpool might have to pay a bit more if they are to sign the 23-year-old this summer.
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