Liverpool remain ‘extremely serious’ about signing Joao Gomes according to reports in Spain, and could trigger his €60million release clause in order to pip Real Madrid.
The Reds have been heavily linked with the Brazilian midfielder since the close of the summer window, but now face stiff competition from Spanish and European champions Real Madrid. Los Blancos have reportedly explored the prospect of a January deal and see Gomes as a natural successor to Casemiro - who they sold to Manchester United for an initial £60million.
Both were dealt a blow to any hopes of signing the 21-year-old on the cheap when Flamengo announced a new contract had been signed , keeping Gomes in Rio de Janeiro until 2027. The Brazilian side do not want to sell their prize asset and simply will not negotiate, but a €60million release clause is set to test the extent to which Liverpool and Madrid want the promising midfielder.
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Reports surfacing around the time of the contract suggested Carlo Ancelotti’s side are not willing to trigger that clause, but the Reds - still reeling from defeat in the race for Aurelien Tchouameni - could act swiftly to ensure they win this time round. Jurgen Klopp was said to have called the French midfielder personaly to try and salvage the move before he decided on Madrid in an £86million deal.
And now Liverpool have a chance to exact their revenge, with the Spanish daily newspaper Sport claiming the Reds will ‘throw the house out the window’ for Gomes - potentially activating his £54.3 million release clause in January.
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