Liverpool, Arsenal on alert after Lille supremo gives green light for €30m sale
Lille president Olivier Letang is reportedly open to selling midfielder Renato Sanches this summer.
That could spark a scramble for the former Swansea midfielder, with a number of big clubs understood to be keen on the 23-year-old.
Liverpool have been linked with Sanches this summer. Goal have reported that Lille midfielder Sanches is on Jurgen Klopp’s shortlist.
French newspaper L’Equipe also claimed Liverpool and Arsenal are “very interested” in the Portuguese star.
The arrival of Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht dampened talk of Sanches. But with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira potentially still to leave the club this summer, Mikel Arteta is still looking for midfield cover.
And now, as per Le10 Sport, Lille chief Letang has made the decision to sell the midfielder at the right price.
A deal could even be pushed through in the next few weeks, but the French outlet says Barcelona are one of the main contenders for his signature.
The news certainly backs up what Fabrizio Romano told his YouTube channel earlier this month: “He wants to go. I also know that Lille are prepared to sell Renato.”
Sanches is on a deal in France until 2023. And with Lille apparently seeking a €30m fee (£25m) for the midfielder, that’s a fee not seen as prohibitive to Europe’s leading clubs.
Sanches has resurrected his career in France after struggling at Bayern Munich and Swansea.
He made 59 appearances for Lille in all competitions and played a key role as they won the Ligue 1 title. He then impressed for Portugal at Euro 2020, featuring four times before the reigning champions were knocked out by Belgium.
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Sanches has matured
Early this month Paul Robinson said Sanches would excel at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
And speaking to Football Insider, he reckons the player will dazzle in the Premier League if given a second chance.
“Sanches struggled the first time he came to England. But players mature and he is certainly an example of that,” Robinson said.
“Look at Memphis Depay when he came to Manchester United, it was too soon. Now he has moved to Barcelona and is one of the best forwards in the world. Manchester United would take him back tomorrow.
“Players can develop and just because Sanches struggled last time does not mean he cannot succeed this time.”
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