Liverpool’s recruitment team absolutely love Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to The Athletic.
Sharing a list of the Reds’s midfield transfer targets ahead of the summer window, the outlet have analysed just how likely certain players are to joining the club.
Whilst the likes of Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are explored in detail, a number of alternative signings are also mentioned.
Surprisingly, Toon fan-favourite Guimaraes was included on Jurgen Klopp’s wish-list.
“Liverpool’s recruitment staff rate him highly but they also recognise Newcastle finishing in the Champions League places would make it much harder to tempt the Brazil international away from St James’ Park,” wrote The Athletic.
Liverpool staff love Guimaraes
If Liverpool’s recruitment team love Guimaraes so much, it begs the question why didn’t they approach to sign him before he joined Newcastle.
Arriving at St James’s Park in January of last year, the Brazilian was bought for £40m from Lyon.
With the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain also interested in the 25-year-old, the Merseyside outfit must have been aware of the midfielder.
After exploding in his first 18 months in the Premier League, the Magpies would likely command around £100m to just entertain letting the player go.
If Liverpool weren’t willing to spend this amount on Jude Bellingham, there’s no chance of them sanctioning a similar bid for Guimaraes – who Jamie Carragher thinks is an outstanding midfielder.