Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Portuguese international Renato Sanches over a possible move in the January transfer window.
According to a report by French outlet Le 10 Sport, Renato Sanches has emerged on the radar of Liverpool with the club pondering on a possible winter transfer. The Portuguese international could be subject of a January bid if the Premier League champions lose Georginio Wijnaldum to Barcelona.
Renato Sanches has resurrected his career since joining Lille from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2019. Once touted to be one of the best young midfielders in the world, the Portuguese midfielder saw his stock plummeting while at Bayern, having struggled to take the next step in his career.
At Lille, though, he is well settled and slowly growing in stature. In fact, Sanches has missed just three games for the Ligue 1 outfit when fit and available, and has amassed 40 appearances for the club. His progress seems to have been duly noted, with Liverpool showing an interest in him.
The Premier League champions are currently in a precarious position with respect to the future of key midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch international is in the final year of his contract with Liverpool and has had his head turned by interest from Barcelona.
Reports suggest that 2020/21 could be the final season for Wijnaldum at Liverpool, and a move in the January transfer window cannot be ruled out. While he has been urged to stay put at Liverpool, it will be prudent for the Reds to lay down a succession plan for the 30-year-old, especially with Thiago Alcantara struggling with injury issues early into his stint with the Reds.
To that end, Sanches is a viable target for Liverpool, who can immediately inculcate the youngster into a regular starting role. The report, though, suggests that a winter move for Sanches will only be executed if Wijnaldum ends up departing Anfield in the January transfer window.
If not, a move for Sanches could be put off till a later date, with the 23-year-old likely to remain on their transfer wishlist for a future transfer. So, it now remains to be seen what happens to Wijnaldum in the coming month and if Sanches subsequently ends up joining Liverpool in the January transfer window. For now, it seems like he is on their radar.
