Liverpool FC v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool leaves the field injured during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. LiverpoolUnited Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxBEL Copyright: xRichardxCallisx
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool and join Real Madrid on a free transfer. While Liverpool are disappointed, they have been ramping up their efforts to bring in a replacement. It appears the Reds are lining up to sign a right-back from the South American market.
Liverpool tried hard to convince Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign a new deal, but it now seems certain that he will be lining up for Real Madrid next season.
The Reds have been looking at options across Europe to identify and bring in a replacement for a defender, who was seen as the future Liverpool captain.
It appears Liverpool are working towards bringing in a talent from the left field to replace the right-back rather than sign an established full-back in Europe.
Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Director confirms Liverpool close in on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement
Wesley Franca has made 120 senior appearances for Flamengo and recently broke into the Brazil team, with two international caps to his name.
Liverpool have been keeping tabs on the defender with a view to potentially taking him to Anfield in the summer transfer window.
He would be a left-field choice, but the 21-year-old is considered the best right-back in South America at the moment, and he is expected to move to Europe this summer.
Flamengo director of football Jose Boto has admitted that it is only a matter of time before Wesley moves to Europe, with a summer departure looking inevitable.
He claimed that he is one of the best right-backs in the world, and Flamengo have a certain price in their minds.
“When I arrived at Flamengo, Wesley already had some offers on the table”, Boto was quoted as saying by TeamTalk.
“I had conversations with him and the staff and gave my opinion as a football man.
“If he continued to develop, if he went to the national team, he would last another year with other clubs wanting him.
“Really – with the way he plays now, with the needs of the European market – it will not be easy for him to stay here after the summer window.
“Obviously, we are already working to be prepared for [Wesley’s departure] if that happens. But of course, that will only happen if the clubs are willing to pay what we think Wesley is worth at the moment, which is quite high.
“There are not many right-backs in the world with the technical ability and speed that he has. We have a value in our head, the player’s staff knows it, the player knows it.”
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