The Sporting Lisbon ace is a reported transfer target for Liverpool.
A report emanating from Portugal today claims that the Reds are lining up a January swoop for Sporting Lisbon ace Gelson Martins, according to Portuguese media outlet Correio de Manha.
Liverpool have cash to burn, following the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, and Jürgen Klopp will be desperate to add some real quality to his ranks, in an attempt to soften the blow of the Brazilian’s exit from Anfield.
The 22-year-old Sporting man is an attacking midfielder by trade, and predominantly operates down the right hand flank, although his stats this year aren’t quite as impressive as Coutinho’s.
He has chipped in with five goals and three assists in 17 league outings for his club this term.
Correio de Manha claim that Klopp wants to bring the talented Portuguese ace to Anfield this month, but is unwilling to match his £53 million release clause.
Liverpool are instead looking to sign him for around half that amount, according to the Portuguese publication, but Sporting still hold all of the cards, with the player under contract in Lisbon until the summer of 2022.
Correio de Manha also go on to claim that Liverpool are prepared to offer Martins a contract worth £4.4 million per year – five times what he currently earns at Sporting.
Whether the Portuguese club will be willing to sell one of their prized assets, however, remains to be seen.
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