LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 24: Nuno Mendes of Sporting CP during the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match between Sporting CP and Aberdeen at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 24, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
According to O Jogo (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool are said to have started talks regarding Nuno Mendes. The Sporting CP defender has attracted the interest of a lot of clubs and could be on the move. However, Sporting are trying to tie him down to a new contract.
Nuno Mendes is an 18-year-old Portuguese left-back who plays for Liga NOS side, Sporting Lisbon. He started his youth career at Despertar in 2010 but moved to Sporting a year later. Since then, he has progressed through various age groups before stepping up to the senior team. He featured 17 times for the U-23s, scoring once and providing 3 assists.
So far, he has made just 16 appearances and scored a goal for Sporting but has managed to impress everyone. Capable of playing as a left or right-sided centre-back too, Mendes is a very versatile player.
A regular part of the Portugal youth setup, he has played a total of 16 games across various age groups. He is currently a part of the U-21s.
Liverpool don’t need Nuno Mendes at this point of time. The Reds boast of one of the best left-backs in the world in the name of Andrew Robertson. Add to that Kostas Tsimikas, who was signed this summer to provide cover for the Scot.
Liverpool’s bigger concern at this point should be a centre-back. They need to sign a defender to cover for Van Dijk and Matip, who are out injured. A left-back should not be a priority signing right now.
Yes, Mendes is a talented player with a lot of potential but the fact remains that once he signs a new contract, his release clause could shoot up to £40million. The Reds have been known to make value for money signings and spending so much looks out of sorts for them.
At that price, Liverpool would be wise to avoid a move for the defender who is yet to make 20 senior appearances for his club. They already have two good players in the same position and would be better off spending that money on a centre-back which they so desperately need at this point.
