Liverpool like Chancel Mbemba, according to reports. The defender just helped secure FC Porto a UEFA Champions League win over Juventus.
This comes from TuttoMercatoWeb. The outlet believes Liverpool have enquired about Chancel Mbemba.
Now they’re not the only ones to do so. Napoli have asked Porto, too, given they’re likely to lose two key centre-backs this summer.
And Porto’s price will likely tempt anyone – €15m or about £12m.
Why so low? Well, his contract only runs until 2022, meaning this is the final year Porto can secure money for Mbemba.
What RTK has to say
Massive pinch of salt here as it’s an Italian outlet reporting on an English club wanting a Congolese player from a Portuguese side. Hard to see where they get their information.
But on the face of it, we see why Liverpool could be interested. Mbembe is a cheap but experienced defender who just caught the eye.
He played a key role in Porto knocking Juventus out of the Champions League. They had to hold on for over an hour with 10 men in Turin but saw out an away-goals win.
Mbemba was a rock, too. He won the most tackles for Porto (3) and did so at a 100 per cent success rate. The player also picked up an interception and made eight clearances.
The only real catch here is that Mbemba has had a relatively unsuccessful spell in England already. He was with Newcastle United for three years but wasn’t getting a game by the end.
Still, you could have said similar about Mohamed Salah back in 2017.
For what he is, Mbemba looks like a shrewd signing. He’s 26 and maybe has a little bit more potential to squeeze out of him, but carries the experience that allows for immediate integration with the side.
You don’t get many Champions League-quality defenders for £12m these days and if Liverpool want another senior option, they may not do much better.
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