What Brazilian insiders are now saying about their £52m defender joining Liverpool in January

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Liverpool are yet to make contact with Sao Paulo over the potential signing of centre-back Lucas Beraldo.

Beraldo has been linked with a move to Anfield as the Reds look to bring in a left-sided defender. Although only 19, he’s been making a name for himself in Brazil.

However, according to Brazilian outlet Trivela, insiders at Sao Paulo are insisting that no approach has been made from Liverpool over Beraldo. For the moment, it’s claimed that staff at the club are viewing the Reds’ interest as merely an ‘initial probe’ for the time being.

Nevertheless, it seems likely that Beraldo will be on the move before long. Sao Paulo have recently tied him to a new contract, which reportedly contains a £52m release clause. If they are to sell the youngster, it’s claimed that they’ll be looking for a record-breaking fee for a Brazilian defender.

In order to achieve this, Sao Paulo are said to be planning to ‘resist’ any approaches for Beraldo in January. They’ll reportedly wait until the summer market, when they’re expecting more interest in the teenager.

Despite this, it’s also claimed that the club ‘would hardly refuse’ an offer that exceeded the current record fee paid for a defender – which currently stands at around £19m.

Liverpool yet to approach Beraldo

How exciting are all these links with burgeoning Brazilian stars? It’s about time Liverpool took the plunge in South America.

Although it now feels unlikely that they’ll sign him, the Reds have been heavily linked with Andre Trindade from Fluminense since the summer.

But Andre and Beraldo aren’t the only names supposedly on Liverpool’s shortlist.

Reports have also put midfielders Gabriel Moscardo and Federico Redondo of Corinthians and Argentinos Juniors respectively on their radar.

Moscardo, 18, looks primed for a transfer to Europe in January, and could potentially be exactly what Liverpool need in the midfield.

Meanwhile 20-year-old Redondo seems set to make his own move from Argentina before long.

In terms of Beraldo though, he could well be a genuine option for Liverpool. Still only 19, the defender has already played 48 times for Sao Paulo and is now a feature in their team.

As a left-footer with bags of potential, maybe he’s the Virgil van Dijk successor the Reds have been scouring the market for. It doesn’t sound too hot for now, but let’s see what progressess in the New Year.