Liverpool are stepping up their interest in signing a new right-winger, with concrete moves made to sign a £50m star, according to Caught Offside.
The Reds are on the brink of securing Champions League football for next season despite being held to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield this past weekend, and currently sit four points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League table with two games remaining.
Plans are already being made for the summer transfer window after it was confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will be departing on a free transfer at the end of the season, and Arne Slot's side have now identified a potential replacement for the Egyptian legend.
Liverpool Make Concrete Trincao Move
francisco trincao
According to a report, Liverpool have now made a 'concrete move' to sign Sporting CP star Francisco Trincao this summer to bolster their attack.
The Portugal international, who has been described as having shades of Messi and Ronaldo, has had a fine season in Lisbon with 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, and that has attracted the attention of some of Europe's top clubs.
Despite signing a new contract earlier this season, that deal is understood to contain a €60m (£50m) release clause, and the 26-year-old is understood to be open to making the move for a new challenge if the opportunity arises.
Liverpool are believed to be moving with real intent to get a deal done ahead of the competition, as they target new recruits on the wing to replace the outgoing Salah, and also for the likely departure of Federico Chiesa. Trincao, however, is not the only target, with Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande also being watched, although they predominantly play on the left.
Trincao to Liverpool Could Be Perfect
Francisco Trincao in action for Sporting
With Slot expected to stay at Anfield for the start of next season, it's clear the type of wide players he likes to have at his disposal, and Trincao fits that bill.
Able to play across the forward line, he is a direct winger who is also capable of playing more technical football in the pockets, rather than simply running into space and taking his opponents on. That will help him to link with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and hopefully get the best out of them too.
But what is arguably more important is the fact he would be a low maintenance signing. Coming from Sporting he wouldn't be expecting to start every game, but has the quality to provide excellent cover and depth, with the gap between him and first-choice options not that big.
It would give Slot a great chance to shuffle his options, and also fill a couple of holes in the squad for a modest fee. No brainer.
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