Renato Sanches in action for Lille. FedericoPestellini/Panoramic
According to Fabrizio Romano via Mirror, Liverpool are scouting Renato Sanches as they are concerned about the long-term future of Georginio Wijnaldum. They are looking at possible replacements.
Liverpool are in a bit of a pickle regarding Georginio Wijnaldum. The midfielder is in his last 6 months of his current contract and it seems like no solution has been reached on talks of a new deal. (h/t Sky Sports)
Since joining the club in 2016, Wijnaldum has been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side. The midfielder is a dynamo on the pitch, covering every blade of grass and not stopping till the final whistle.
He has been used in multiple positions as per the team’s requirement and perhaps scored two of the most important goals in Liverpool’s recent history against Barcelona. Replacing him might not be the easiest of tasks given his contribution across the pitch.
There are two phases from which we can judge Sanches’ career. The pre and post Bayern years and the Bayern years. Judging by the latter, it would seem like a huge mistake to sign him.
Yet, if the former is something to go by, Sanches could be a huge signing for Liverpool. The 23-year-old Benfica prodigy has worked very hard after his Bayern exit to get his career back on track.
While it would seem a bit of a huge ask to fill the shoes of someone like Wijnaldum, Sanches is as close as it comes when looking at their playing style and positioning. The youngster is quite a workhorse and is capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch.
He will not only add to the numbers in the middle of the park but also add to the quality. With age and potential on his side, Liverpool can benefit a lot from this deal.
It’s rather hard to say how Sanches would fare on his return to the Premier League. But with a world-class manager and squad around him, chances are that he can flourish. This is a gamble worth taking for Liverpool as there is a high chance of this paying off.