Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Renato Sanches with Barcelona in ‘a delicate economic situation’.
A replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum needs to have energy but also tactical discipline as well as the ability to resist the opposition press.
They also need to be willing to sacrifice their desire to attack for the benefit of the team.
LILLE, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 25: Lille’s Renato Sanches during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and RC Strasbourg at Stade Pierre Mauroy on September 25, 2019 in Lille, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
Renato Sanches ticks all these boxes although the last one is one that will come with time and is one of the most exciting names linked with the club this summer.
Liverpool in pole position to sign Sanches
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will battle to sign the Portugal international and the Reds are now the favourites to land his signature.
They say: “The latest information from France indicates that his incorporation seems almost impossible given the delicate economic situation he is experiencing. the Barça club.
STRASBOURG, FRANCE – OCTOBER 04: Renato Sanches of Lille in action during the Ligue 1 match between RC Strasbourg and Lille OSC at Stade de la Meinau on October 4, 2020 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
“In this scenario, the most likely destination of Renato Sanches would be Liverpool and Lille hopes to earn some €40million for the Portuguese footballer, an amount that Anfield expect to reduce.”
Sanches has unfinished business
After a failed loan spell with Swansea City, Sanches has unfinished business in the Premier League.
Much like Mohamed Salah, a second chance in English football could give him a new lease on life and while I’m certainly not suggesting that Liverpool will ever have a signing turn out like the Egyptian again, it just goes to show that you can never really write anyone off in football.
METZ, FRANCE – APRIL 09: John Boye of Metz (R) battles for the ball with Renato Sanches of Lille (L) during the Ligue 1 match between FC Metz and Lille OSC at Stade Saint-Symphorien on April 9, 2021 in Metz, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)
The Portuguese magician shone in Ligue 1 last season and while there have been some suggestions that the speed of France’s top division is better suited to him, his performances at the EUROs proved that he can mix it with the best.
What is Sanches capable of with Liverpool?
I’ve mentioned it before but there was one moment, in particular, when Portugal faced France in a dramatic 2-2 draw in the group stages of the EUROs this summer.
He received the ball with his back half-turned to Paul Pogba before he exploded around the corner and with the momentum he generated, he surged past N’Golo Kante away to set his side away on a dangerous counter-attack.
LILLE, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 22: Lille’s Renato Sanches celebrates after scoring goal during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and Toulouse FC at Stade Pierre Mauroy on February 22, 2020 in Lille, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota’s pace in attack, I can only imagine the roar Anfield would greet that with.
If Liverpool do sign the 23-year-old this summer, it’d be a risky signing given his injury history but the Reds are very accomplished in the transfer market these days so I wouldn’t be too worried.
