Liverpool could sign Pedro Goncalves but they will need to splash the cash as they have learned that his release clause is set at €80million (£67.5million).
The Reds’ 2-2 draw with Brighton has underlined Liverpool’s pressing need to add to their squad.
The Seagulls are a fantastic side and are performing to a very high level under Graham Potter’s guidance, but Liverpool should not have conceded a two-goal lead to the visitors.
Predictably, the draw (which feels like a loss) has led to many Liverpool fans urging Jurgen Klopp and FSG to conduct some business in the winter transfer window and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves has emerged as a target it would seem.
Who is Pedro Goncalves and why are Liverpool linked?
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the Anfield outfit is one of the sides keen to recruit Goncalves but can only do so if they trigger his €80m (£67.5m) release clause.
The report is titled: ‘He is Mr €80m’ and underlines why Sporting value him so highly.
Of course, this is unlikely as Liverpool have only ever spent that kind of money to sign Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk and both players were household names before their respective moves to Merseyside.
The Sporting star has a wonderful understanding of space and is able to punish teams by playing intricate passes in confined areas, so signing him would give Jurgen Klopp’s side an increased ability to keep possession in the final third.
He is also fantastic at running with the ball at high speed, which would make him a valuable asset in transition.
What should Liverpool’s approach be this summer?
I think I’m in the majority when I say that Liverpool and FSG need to make at least one January signing to ensure they can cope without Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah when they jet off to AFCON.
Goncalves is an exciting player but his €80m (£67.5m) release clause makes a move to Liverpool this winter close to impossible. But there are other options out there like Karim Adeyemi from RB Salzburg, who is available for much cheaper.
Naby Keita will also head off to AFCON in the New Year if he can avoid injury and, with Liverpool already struggling this season for midfield depth, his guaranteed absence in January will only make Klopp’s job that much harder.