Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on Alex Telles, with the FC Porto left-back also a summer target for Chelsea.
According to a report by Get French Football News, Alex Telles is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds have joined Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign the FC Porto defender in the summer transfer window, with PSG also showing an interest.
Telles has seen his career take off ever since he joined FC Porto from Galatasaray in the summer of 2016. A typically modern full-back, the Brazilian is a decent defender and likes to advance forward into the final third, where he is a dangerous proponent with his crossing abilities.
The numbers portray a telling tale too, with Telles providing 20 assists in addition to scoring 4 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 53 crosses this past season was also the highest by any player in the Primeira Liga, which is why it’s not surprising that he has ended up piquing the interest of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, like Chelsea and Liverpool.
At Chelsea, the future of Marcos Alonso has been slightly uncertain in recent weeks, with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly in his pursuit. Beyond the Spaniard, Emerson Palmieri is the only other option and with the former Roma man still not settled in, Telles is a viable target, should Alonso depart.
At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp currently has Andrew Robertson and Alberto Moreno as his left-back options. But, while Robertson has been a revelation at left-back for the Reds, Moreno does not inspire a lot of confidence despite some improved showings this past season. Telles could, thus, be viewed as a possible summer addition who could also be a backup to Sadio Mane in attack.
Meanwhile, there’s a third wheel up against Chelsea and Liverpool in the form of PSG, with reports suggesting that new manager Thomas Tuchel is unsure about Layvin Kurzawa and Yuri Berchiche, which is why he is now eyeing a move for Telles.
However, PSG, Chelsea and Liverpool will face a tough task convincing Porto to sell as Telles’s departure would see them lose a third full-back after the sales of Ricardo Pereira and Diogo Dalot. However, with reports of a possible €40 million release clause in his contract, the Portuguese outfit might be powerless in their bid to keep hold of the player.
The prospect of sharing game time might just make the Brazilian’s mind though, as he is nailed on as the first-choice left-back at Porto currently. Either way, Chelsea will have a tough ask convincing Telles as they do not have Champions League football on offer, meaning Liverpool will have an advantage in case he chooses to move.
