Brazilian side Sao Paulo are waiting for Liverpool to launch a counter bid to sign their star defender Lucas Beraldo after two other sides joined the hunt for his signature and amid claims Leicester are close to having an offer accepted.
The 20-year-old has been widely watched by Liverpool’s scouts in recent weeks as the Reds are looking for a new finisher in the January window. That search has intensified in recent weeks following Joel Matip’s ACL injury, which may also spell the end of the experienced finisher’s career at Anfield.
And while Jurgen Klopp has hinted that his team will “probably do the right thing” and extend his stay, the 32-year-old’s existing contract is set to expire next summer, leading to a dubious era for the former Schalke player.
However, his prolonged absence creates a more immediate fear for Klopp, who now has only Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and the untested Jarrel Quansah as potential partners to Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence.
And for a team still alive after four competitions, Klopp knows his side are just one injury away from seeing their season unfold before their eyes.
As a result, it’s no surprise that signing a new centre-back is seen as a priority move for Klopp. To that end, the Reds have been connected with one of 3 premium options, and the window officially opens in just 14 days.
Of that trio, it is perhaps Beraldo who is seen as the easiest to acquire, given Sao Paulo have made it clear they are unable to stand in the 20-year-old’s way if a sizeable offer lands on their desk.
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Speaking recently about the 20-year-old defender, as well as the club’s other assets, Rodrigo Nestor, 23, and Pablo Maia, 21, Sao Paulo CEO Rui Costa admitted that his team would be willing to negotiate their sales.
“They are guys with a very intelligent spirit, who know that the time will come [to leave]. We will communicate it with the agent and the player,” he told Globoesporte.
“We ended up renewing Beraldo’s contract until 2027. We will negotiate with each of them if the offer is smart for everyone. But I never stressed about those guys. Quite the opposite. “
Now, according to TuttoJuve, the Brazilian is pushing Liverpool to make their selection for Beraldo after receiving two requests from the company for his signing.
It is said that the first of these came from the Russian side of Zenit St. Petersburg, and that they are pursuing this technique with an offer from the company.
The second, however, comes from league leaders Leicester City, who reportedly submitted a €20 million (£17. 2 million) bid for the 20-year-old on Monday.
Enzo Maresca’s side have been the most sensible in the league lately, having won 17 of their 21 games so far. A smart bet to return to the Premier League at the first request, the Foxes are now looking for reinforcements for their team for the break-in.
However, despite their prestige as league leaders, Beraldo’s side are not exactly keen on the Foxes’ technique and have asked Sao Paulo to wait to accept the offer in the hope that Liverpool can launch a counter-attack.
The challenge for Sao Paulo is that Liverpool are contemplating other characteristics of Beraldo’s forward line – nicknamed the Joker by his teammates because of the permanent smile he wears etched on his face – and will not stress about performing in his position before doing so. He explored those other avenues.
To do so, the Reds would also like Maxence Lacroix and Gonçalo Inacio, the two defenders would be paid much more than Beraldo.
However, the blockade could favor Leicester, as Sao Paulo is likely willing to find a long-term solution as soon as possible.
Juventus are also among those willing to sign the Brazilian under-20 defender, and Sao Paulo are hoping that increased interest in the player could bring their payment closer to the €25 million (£21. 5 million) mark.
A failure to bring Beraldo to Anfield would undoubtedly frustrate the South American based scout employed by Liverpool, who has seemingly earmarked Beraldo as having the attributes needed to become a major star of the future.
The left footer has drawn favourable comparisons to Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk, with reports suggesting he has been earmarked as the best long-term heir to the Dutch defender.
That may be high acclaim for the player, although they could be forced to sit back and see if that prophecy comes true should the move to the King Power go through.
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