According to L’Equipe, as cited by Sport Witness, Liverpool have joined the pursuit of Renato Sanches. The LOSC Lille playmaker is expected to leave the club in the summer as the newly crowned French champions look to balance their books. The report states that Liverpool and Arsenal are potential destinations for Sanches, with the Gunners already eyeing him following his performances in Euro 2020.
Renato Sanches’ Revival At LOSC Lille
Renato Sanches was a much-maligned figure at Bayern Munich after failing to live up to the expectations following his big-money move in 2016. During his three years in Munich, the midfielder could only muster 53 appearances, struggling under the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Niko Kovac.
Sanches left Bayern in 2019, joining Lille for a fee of €20 million. It was a smart move by the Portuguese international, who would go on to become a key asset under the leadership of Christoph Galtier.
Indeed, the 23-year-old has managed to revive his game, becoming a creative lynchpin for Lille. His ability to carry the ball forward, combined with his excellent technical quality and link-up play with attackers, were key in helping Les Dogues secure the Ligue 1 last season.
Sanches has starred for Portugal in the European Championship as well. He was, in fact, one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign for O Selecao, who were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Belgium.
Is Sanches A Good Option For Arsenal?
Renato Sanches has unfinished business in England, having previously failed at Swansea during a loan spell in 2017/18. He had made only 12 appearances in the Premier League, struggling to impact the English top-flight.
But as the midfielder hopes to silence his critics, a move to Arsenal could make perfect sense. The Gunners are on the hunt for a new playmaker following Martin Odegaard’s return to Real Madrid. The January departure of Mesut Ozil didn’t help either, leaving Mikel Arteta devoid of options in the number ten role.
Sanches could be an ideal fix, as he can offer the much-needed ball progression in the final third. He is also quite powerful in possession, making it difficult for the opposition to shrug him off the ball. However, what makes him such an appealing target for Arsenal is his quick feet that allow him to wriggle through tight spaces.
In addition, the Portuguese international is quite versatile, allowing him to operate either central or out wide. It could prove to be an exciting asset for Arteta, as he looks to further improve his ranks following a disappointing 2020-21 campaign.
