In a recent tweet, Goal.com correspondent Bruno Andrade has claimed that Liverpool hold ‘strong interest’ in Sporting CP starlet Nuno Mendes after previously having a €25m bid rejected for the player. It is believed that the Reds could now face stiff competition from Real Madrid in pursuit of the Portuguese left-back.
Nuno Mendes: Liverpool, que já teve uma oferta de 25 milhões de euros recusada, segue como forte interessado, mas agora tem a concorrência do Real Madrid. Sporting não pretende vender o jovem lateral-esquerdo de 18 anos por menos de 40 milhões de euros
— Bruno Andrade (@brunoandrd) January 8, 2021
Mendes’ Recent Emergence In Portuguese Football
Mendes has managed to break out as a first-team starter after coming through Sporting’s youth ranks over the past few years. He has produced quite a few eye-catching performances at the Jose Alvalade Stadium which explains why a club of Liverpool’s size are showing interest in recruiting him in the future.
The 18-year-old has been involved in 16 matches for the Portuguese giants this term, finding the back of the net once while securing one assist across all fronts. Mendes has done well to average 1.7 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 1.1 clearances, 0.6 shots, 0.8 key passes, 1.3 crosses and 1.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Liga NOS. He has even distributed possession relatively well from the left flank as evidenced by his pass success rate of 80.2% in the English top tier (stats via whoscored).
Mendes has the potential to become a world-class left-back someday, so he would be a massive coup for the Reds if they can come up with a way to get a deal done for him in January or at the end of this campaign.
What Will The Portuguese Full-Back Add To Jurgen Klopp’s Side?
Mendes has got a good work ethic and is capable of whipping in some inviting crosses into the opponent’s penalty box. He boasts blistering pace in his locker that enables him to make a few promising sprints with the ball out on the left-wing.
The Portuguese wonderkid has proven himself to be a reliable defender inside his half as he can sense the danger quickly to earn possession back for his team. Plus, he is also not shy of tracking the opposition’s runs on the counter and can get back to clear his lines when needed.
Is Mendes The Right Choice For Liverpool?
At 18, Mendes is still quite raw but has all the makings of a great left-back. Hence, he will be a brilliant choice for the Reds as he will be a signing for the long-run. Konstantinos Tsimikas has struggled to prove his fitness in the Premier League since arriving at Anfield last summer.
Therefore, Jurgen Klopp can benefit from adding more competition for Andrew Robertson by bringing someone of Mendes’ potential to Merseyside in the future. Furthermore, the Sporting CP prospect is highly versatile as he can also fill in as a makeshift centre-back if required, which would make him a valuable squad player for any top side in Europe, including Liverpool.
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