Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with Lille star Renato Sanches, following the midfielder’s impressive showings at Euro 2020.
The Portugal international has endured a somewhat turbulent career to-date, having burst onto the scene as a teenager at Euro 2016, before suffering a frustrating three-year spell at Bayern Munich that included a dismal loan stint with Swansea City.
The former Benfica man made the switch to Ligue 1 side Lille in 2019, the move seemingly having paid dividends as he has since gone on to play a key role in the club’s surprise title triumph last season.
Those impressive displays in France saw him earn a deserved recall to Fernando Santos’ side for the European Championship’s, after previously missing out on selection at the 2018 World Cup, with the midfielder catching the eye with a string of fine showings despite Portugal’s eventual last-16 defeat to Belgium.
With his Euro 2020 involvement now over, the 23-year-old is now at the centre of speculation regarding his future, with French outlet L’Equipe, via the Mail, reporting that both Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to do battle for his signature.
The report suggests that the Reds are seemingly the frontrunners and are ‘very interested’ in making a move, although they are set to face ‘stiff competition’ from the Gunners for the talented midfielder.
Despite their recent Ligue 1 success, Lille are said to be willing to cash in on the player, the club having developed a reputation in previous years for selling on players for large fees.
Arsenal previously plucked Nicolas Pepe from the French side in 2019, as well as defender Gabriel last summer, and may wish to do business again for Sanches, as Mikel Arteta continues his rebuild of a side in drastic need of improvement.
The north London club have recently been linked with Brighton defender Ben White on a £50m deal, as well as his fellow England teammates Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone.
As for Jurgen Klopp’s side, the departure of Gini Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer has left a void in central midfield, with Sanches one of the names they are said to be targeting, as well as the Seagulls’ Yves Bissouma and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus.
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