Ever since their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid at the close of the club season, Liverpool have been looking to make improvements to their squad with a view to building upon their success and perhaps even going one better next time round, in addition to making a challenge for the Premier League title.
Naby Keita having long been confirmed as an extra cog in the wheel of an already impressive attack, the failure to land French international Nabil Fekir prompted Jurgen Klopp to follow through with his admiration for Flamengo’s Lucas Paquetá by apparently urging the board to prepare an offer for the 20-year-old Brazilian midfield sensation this week. Elsewhere, interest in Roma and Brazil national team goalkeeper also Alisson remains a constant.
Now, reports have suggested that the Reds are also keen on enhancing their defence, with a compatriot of Alisson and Paquetá’s, Porto left-back Alex Telles, becoming a transfer target that would be easy to land given his agreeable release clause of £35mn though naturally there is competition from other big clubs after news of this low fee became common knowledge.
Racking up an astounding 14 assists from his position as Porto clinched the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Telles is cut from the same cloth as the vast majority of attacking-minded, wide Brazilian defenders and added a further six assists in all competitions to his tally that were joined by four goals across 45 total appearances.
As Alberto Moreno is expected to be sold in the summer transfer window, Klopp is apparently keen on keeping Andrew Robertson on his toes with the acquisition of Telles. As mentioned however, there are other parties in Chelsea and PSG who have made their enquiries for a 25-year-old player who has allegedly been monitored by Anfield chiefs since January.
Part of the Brazilian Série A Team of the Year in 2013 whilst plying his trade at Grêmio, which subsequently attracted the attention of Galatasary who purchased him for €6mn, Telles also spent a loan spell at Inter Milan and has been complemented for his pace and playmaking skills.
