Liverpool are reportedly the favourites to sign emerging young Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo.
According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Liverpool have been linked with Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo in recent times and are the “favourite club” to secure his services.
Beraldo has emerged as one of Brazil’s standout young defenders since breaking into Sao Paulo’s team in 2022. He has already made 49 appearances for Sao Paulo at such a young age, helping them keep seven clean sheets in 23 appearances in the Brazilian top-flight, while he was a key component in Sao Paulo’s Copa do Brasil triumph in October, starting in the heart of their defence in both legs of the final against Flamengo.
The Brazil Under-20 international, whose contract with Sao Paulo does not expire until the summer of 2026, is reported to have a £52 million release clause inserted into his current deal, which shows how highly coveted he is.
The centre-back has become increasingly known for his ball-playing skillset, particularly with his range of passing and ability to drift past opponents to retain possession in their own defensive third among his star qualities, and his displays have not gone unnoticed on the continent.
Recent reports have suggested that Liverpool’s scouting team have watched Beraldo a number of times over recent months, stepping up their interest by flying representatives over to South America a couple of weeks back.
Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk have been Jurgen Klopp’s preferred centre-back pairing this season, but with both well into their thirties, a new centre-half is therefore expected to be a priority for Liverpool in the upcoming transfer windows.
The Reds also have Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Jarell Quansah, who has thoroughly impressed when given minutes this season, in their ranks. However, Beraldo would offer Liverpool a left-footed alternative that they do not currently have.
Still only 20 years old, Beraldo looks like a huge prospect and clearly has a big future in the game. He is the epitome of a ball-playing centre-half, and even under heavy pressure, he seldom appears frazzled, while the fact that he’s left-footed makes the Liverpool connections clear.
Indeed, Liverpool aren’t the only club keeping tabs on his progress. Bayern Munich and Ligue 1 duo Olympique Lyonnais and Monaco are also keen on the player, with the interest in his services likely to pick up further the more first-team appearances he makes. However, Liverpool looks to be in the box seat to sign him at the moment.
