In a recent print edition, L’Equipe stated that Liverpool are showing interest in landing LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches this summer. It is understood that the Reds will have to rival Arsenal in the race to recruit the Portugal international in this off-season (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Sanches’ Inconsistent Season In Portuguese Football
Sanches had an injury-plagued campaign in Portuguese football but did well to produce some dominant displays for Lille at the centre of the park. The Lisboa-born talent made 29 appearances for the French outfit last season, finding the back of the net once and grabbing four assists in all competitions.
The Portuguese sensation struggled to be consistent with his all-around contributions in midfield as he averaged 0.6 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 0.9 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign. However, Sanches deserves credit for being tidy with his ball distribution after he completed 85.8% of his attempted passes in the French top-flight (stats via whoscored).
The 23-year-old is yet to enter his prime but has begun to show some glimpses of his true potential, especially with his performances for Portugal in the UEFA European Championship recently. Hence, it is no wonder that both Liverpool and Arsenal are interested in acquiring his services during this summer transfer window.
What Will The Portugal International Add To Klopp’s Side?
Sanches has decent pace in his locker and can make some promising runs with the ball in the opposition half. He can get stuck in with a few crunching tackles to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm in the game in midfield and can set up some inviting chances for his teammates up top.
The 30-time Portugal international is a powerful runner with the ball and would add a lot of energy and dynamism to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield department. Hence, Liverpool would be wise to arrange a move to bring him to the northwest of England before the start of the new campaign.
However, Sanches needs to find some consistency if he intends to be a success story in the Premier League if the Reds can recruit him this summer. At the moment, he might struggle to get enough game time at Anfield but could enjoy playing in Jurgen Klopp’s brand of football in the coming seasons.
There is no doubt that Sanches will enhance the depth of Liverpool’s match-day squad and could help them challenge for multiple trophies in the years to come. Plus, he would serve as an upgrade over Naby Keita, who has been far too injury-prone during his time at Merseyside.
