Renato Sanches the latest midfielder tipped to replace Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool
Last Updated: February 19, 2021 3:20 pm
The latest word doing the rounds in the European media on Thursday has pointed towards Lille’s Renato Sanches as a potential replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum at Liverpool.
Barca bound
The subject of Wijnaldum’s future has of course long represented something of a concern at Anfield.
This comes with the midfielder, who has long acted as a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s ranks in the middle of the park, inching ever closer to the exit door.
Wijnaldum’s current terms on Merseyside are due to expire in the summer, with little progress thought to have been made in negotiations between the parties regarding a new deal.
In turn, the general assumption, at this point, is that the Dutchman, in the end, will opt to move on, with La Liga giants Barcelona looking his most likely landing spot this summer:
Gini Wijnaldum reportedly decides to leave Liverpool for Barcelona.
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) January 16, 2021
Lille star eyed
As such, with Wijnaldum having started in all but two of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures to this point in the campaign, it goes without saying that his departure will represent a blow for Klopp and co.
The former Newcastle man will therefore require replacing, with a host of midfielders from across Europe, in turn, having already been tipped for a potential Anfield switch this summer.
And, as outlined above, on Thursday, yet another name has been added to the Reds’ rumoured list of targets.
The player in question? Renato Sanches.
Portuguese international Sanches was of course once viewed as one of world football’s most highly-regarded young talents.
After making the move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2016, however, the now-23-year-old’s development stalled in a major way, as Sanches struggled to adapt to the demands of a top European club.
SWANSEA, WALES – SEPTEMBER 10: Renato Sanches of Swansea City and Jesus Gamez of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Newcastle United at Liberty Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
In turn, he was eventually moved on to Lille in the summer of 2019, where, despite some fitness issues, the talented midfielder has since for the most part impressed.
And such exploits have evidently caught the eye of those in a position of power on the red half of Merseyside, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano having confirmed, after providing an update on Gini Wijnaldum’s contract situation, that Sanches is ‘on the list’ of Liverpool for the summer window:
The renewal of Georginio Wijnaldum’s contract remains extremely complicated because he could leave as a free agent in the summer and there has not been definitive communication yet. The board is therefore evaluating the idea of buying a new midfielder. #awlfc [@FabrizioRomano]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) February 18, 2021
There are many names on the list, including Renato Sanches of Lille. For the defence, Ozan Kabak will have his chances in the next few months with a buy option available in the summer, but Liverpool are also interested in other alternative options. #awlfc [@FabrizioRomano]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) February 18, 2021
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This article was edited by Josh Barker.
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