Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches, with Barcelona also looking to sign the Portuguese international.
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti on Twitter, Barcelona have made an enquiry for LOSC Lille and Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches but remain behind Liverpool in the race to land the 23-year-old.
Sanches has been with Lille for two years now after having signed from Bayern Munich in 2019, bringing an end to his torrid spell in Bavaria. Since arriving in France, the midfielder has been able to rebuild his confidence and get his career back on track, in the process establishing himself as a key player for Les Dogues.
Indeed, Sanches had a big role to play in Lille’s surprise Ligue 1 title triumph in 2020/21, on the back of which he also impressed for Portugal in the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2020. And, his resurgence over the past couple of seasons has meant big clubs across Europe are once again circling the midfielder, none more so than Liverpool.
It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp & co. are in the market for reinforcements in the middle of the park this summer, in order to fill the void left behind by Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure, who opted to sign for Paris Saint-Germain after the expiry of his contract. Furthermore, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not being exactly reliable options of late, adding another quality midfielder makes sense for the Reds.
Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez has been mooted as a target, but Sanches seems to be at the top of the pile for Liverpool. The Reds, though, have been joined by Barcelona in the race for the 23-year-old, with the Catalans said to have asked about information on the Portuguese international, as per Galetti.
Barcelona, too, are in need of strengthening their midfield options, with Miralem Pjanic expected to be out of the club this summer, whereas Ilaix Moriba’s situation has become uncertain owing to his reluctance to sign the new contract that has been offered. With Pedri coming off a long season followed by Euro involvement and participation in the Olympics, adding more depth to rotate his troops effectively could be key for Ronald Koeman.
To that end, Barcelona have seemed to narrow in on Sanches, along with a few other targets. However, Galetti adds that despite the Blaugrana’s enquiry for the 23-year-old, it is Liverpool that remain the frontrunners to capture his signing. But the journalist does add that the Reds are yet to launch a formal offer for the Portugal star.
It remains to be seen if a bid is forthcoming from either Liverpool or Barcelona in the coming days for Sanches or if they end up moving after alternate targets.
