Arsenal will be happy to pay €30 million to sign 20-year-old Sao Paulo defender Lucas Beraldo, a target for Liverpool.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Lucas Beraldo is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The 20-year-old Sao Paulo centre-back is also a target for Premier League heavyweights Liverpool. But the Gunners are ready to fork out €30 million to secure his services next year.
Who is Lucas Beraldo?
Lucas Beraldo is the latest Brazilian prospect to rise in prominence in South America. A graduate of the Sao Paulo youth division, the youngster made his first-team debut for the club last year. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, establishing himself as a mainstay at the back for Tricolor Paulista.
The 20-year-old has already made over 50 appearances for Sao Paulo FC, chipping in with one goal. Meanwhile, Beraldo’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of many high-profile clubs. Premier League bigwigs, in particular, are keen, with Arsenal and Liverpool vying for the player’s signature.
Premier League the Next Destination for Beraldo?
Arsenal might not need a centre-back upon first looking at the first-team squad. The Gunners have a stacked defensive unit. But Mikel Arteta’s treatment of Gabriel Magalhaes this season might have shown the need for a left-footed centre-back. Lucas Beraldo has thus emerged as a viable target for Arsenal.
The Gunners are ready to step up their interest in the 20-year-old Brazilian defender. The report has claimed that Arsenal will be happy to cough up €30 million to secure Beraldo’s services. But Arsenal will face stiff competition from Liverpool for the young centre-back.
The Reds have chased Lucas Beraldo for several weeks. Reports last month pointed to Liverpool being in the pole position to land the youngster. With Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk on the wrong side of 30, Liverpool can do with a centre-back. The Sao Paulo FC centre-back has thus emerged as an option worth considering for the Merseyside club.
But Arsenal’s willingness to fork out €30 million might have put Liverpool on the back foot. It will be interesting to see if the Reds claw their way back in the race to sign Beraldo from Sao Paulo next year.
