Liverpool chiefs have reportedly flown to Brazil to thrash out a £20million transfer for highly-rated defender Lucas Beraldo. The Reds are desperate to secure a quick deal ahead of the January window and are attempting to persuade the Sao Paulo star to complete a Premier League switch.
Beraldo’s form in Brazil has caught the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs. Liverpool are reportedly desperate to secure a transfer for the 19-year-old centre-back as Jurgen Klopp seeks to rejuvenate his back line.
Representatives from Anfield allegedly met with their Sao Paulo counterparts after the Brazilian side defeated Bragantino last week. They now hope to convince Beraldo to join.
A £20m transfer could reportedly be agreed ahead of the January window, with Klopp needing new faces in central defence. Joel Matip could leave at the end of the season, while Virgil van Dijk is 33 next summer. Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have suffered with injuries and inconsistency.
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According to The Sun, the trip to Brazil is separate to Liverpool’s pursuit of Andre Trindade. The Reds are reportedly set to compete with Premier League rivals including Arsenal and Manchester United for the 22-year-old defensive midfielder.
Liverpool have lacked a quality option in that position despite a sweeping overhaul in the summer transfer window. But talks in Brazil have been exclusively focused on securing a move for Beraldo, the report insists.
It is claimed that Beraldo will be promised a fast-track route into Liverpool’s first team, with Joel Matip currently due to depart next summer leaving just three senior centre-halves at Anfield. The Merseysiders are plotting the transfer now in order to beat the likely competition ahead of January.
Liverpool will hope they can secure a double swoop for Brazilian talent with the additions of Beraldo and Andre over the coming months. Several other European clubs are reported to be interested in the latter.
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Andre’s performances for Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense have seen him linked with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd. All three clubs want to strengthen their respective midfields in January.
Fabinho’s summer departure to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad has left a gaping hole at the base of Liverpool’s midfield. Wataru Endo was signed from Stuttgart in the summer but the 30-year-old is not the long-term solution to the Reds’ problem.
Highly-rated youngster Andre would fit the profile of midfielder Klopp is looking for. It would help the German complete his drastic overhaul of the middle of the pitch.
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