Liverpool retain an interest in Sporting wonderkid Nuno Mendes, despite reportedly having a €22million rejected.
Mendes is one of the most sought after youngsters in European football after breaking through for the Portuguese giants.
The 18-year-old is understood to have a €45m release clause in his current contract, with his club wary that won’t be enough to fend off potential suitors.
A number of teams have been linked with a move for the full-back, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester rivals United and City.
However, according to reports in Portugal, it is claimed the current Premier League champions that have made the most formal approach,.
Portuguese outlets Record and O Jogo (via Sport Witness) claim that the Reds have a serious interest in the player, who is in negotiations to sign a new contract.
Should he agree to terms a new deal it is understood his release clause will increase to €70m, likely pricing most teams out of the race.
O Jogo reveal details of a rejected €22m from Anfield and although that was knocked back, their interest is still described as ‘serious’.
Klopp already has two left-backs at his disposal, with summer signing Kostas Tsimikas an able deputy to the undroppable Andrew Roberton.
There is a belief however, that Mendes could convert to central defence, a definite area of need for Klopp’s men.
Serious injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has forced the Reds to shuffle their deck and Liverpool legend John Barnes believes if a player comes available next month, they should act.
Do Liverpool need to sign a central defender in January? Have your say here.
“If they can get better than what they have, yes [they should buy another centre-back]," Barnes told BonusCodeBets . "But if they can't get better, there's no point in buying for the sake of buying.
“The majority of centre-backs you would want are normally playing at top teams in the Champions League and may not be available.
“So, it's not a question of looking to buy anybody, because he has faith in the youngsters that he's played."
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