Fabrizio Romano on claims Liverpool flew to Brazil for talks over £20M transfer

Fabrizio Romano reports that he hasn't personally had reports of planned talks between Liverpool and Sao Paulo or Lucas Beraldo and his agents.

A claim on Sunday suggested that the Reds sent a delegation to Brazil to meet with the the 19-year-old defender as part of their plans to replace Joel Matip at the end of the season.

The Cameroonian is out of contract on June 30 and the club has been scouting the likes of Beraldo and Goncalo Inacio, who wasted his audition with Liverpool scouts on Sunday as he was shown a red card for receiving two red cards.

Reporting via Caught Offside, Romano said that no talks have been held over a £20 million move to sign Beraldo.

"Lucas Beraldo – There has been talk of Liverpool being interested in signing Brazilian youngster Lucas Beraldo from Sao Paulo," Romano reports.

He continued: "However, I’m not hearing anything – not aware of that or of any negotiations for him at this stage.

“Liverpool are always linked with many players but there’s nothing concrete so far. He’s very good player, a talented young centre-back.

"I like him, but I think he probably needs one more step before joining a super top club like Liverpool.”

Liverpool need a more senior player to replace a veteran like Matip

The comical centre-half had me in stitches on Sunday as Liverpool beat Brentford 3-0 to move level with Manchester City on points before the champions were held to a 4-4 draw by Chelsea, moving them one point clear of their Anfield rivals.

Matip was incorrectly flagged for a foul by referee Paul Tierney and his reaction was typically hilarious.

As Redmen TV said on Twitter, it will be a sad day when he leaves.

While Matip has struggled with injuries, he has played key roles for Liverpool and when he's able to put a string of games together, he's one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

But replacing him will need to be done right and Romano may be right about Beraldo not being the answer for Liverpool right now.

It's no disrespect to him either but a 19-year-old playing league football in Brazil may struggle adapting to the Premier League but there is plenty of time for Sao Paulo star to prove himself.

But perhaps not at Anfield.

Besides, Jarell Quansah is proving to be a very able deputy to his more senior stars.