Liverpool are believed to be among the clubs eyeing a move for Juventus star Francisco Conceicao, with rivals Manchester United also in the mix to sign him.
The Reds have gone into the international break in good spirits, following Sunday’s 1-0 victory away to Bournemouth in the Premier League, with Andoni Iraola speaking positively after the game, saying the win was deserved:
“I think it was. I was disappointed with the first 20, 25 minutes, I think we didn’t start the game with the intensity the game required. To win here is very difficult, I know it very well.
“Normally Bournemouth start really strong and it took us these 20, 25 minutes until we matched a little bit this level and from there and I think at the end of the first half and second half we played better, we had better situations with the ball and we could win the game.”
In terms of Liverpool transfer news, it looks as though they are still looking at potential wide signings, with Calciomercato [via Sport Witness] reporting that Conceicao is on their radar.
The Portuguese is “no longer untouchable” at Juve, due to a wealth of options out wide, and he is valued at £34.3m, with his fee and wages reasonable in the eyes of the Reds and United.
Could Francisco Conceicao excel on Liverpool’s right wing?
Liverpool are still yet to replace Mohamed Salah, with Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz both at their best on the left wing, which feels negligent by the club.
But in Conceicao, the Reds would be signing a similar player in style, cutting onto his left foot from the right wing and producing match-winning moments.
That said, 12 goals and assists apeice in 88 appearances for Juve isn’t a great return, even though the Portugal international believes he is “one of the best in the world” in his position, also adding:
“My father tells me to play with passion, to enjoy my football, try to make the difference with my characteristics. I also like to defend and win tackles, because these are the things my father taught me when I was a kid, that winning a tackle can be just as important as an assist or a goal. It gives me joy, just like dribbling or scoring a goal. I try to win duels to help the team.
“I learned so much from my father because he is a great coach, he showed me where I had to improve, and if I am here today, it’s because he helped me grow.”
Conceicao would need to improve his end product to back up such a claim for Liverpool, but there is plenty to like about him, and it is easy to see him flourishing at Anfield.
He is still only 23, so there is plenty of time ahead of him to improve, and he would give the Reds’ attack the balance it needs, given the complete lack of a natural right winger currently.
Conceiceo also wouldn’t be expensive, so if the move didn’t work out, it wouldn’t feel like a risk that backfires.