Liverpool given eye-popping asking price for Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves

Liverpool are keen to bolster their attacking options in January, but their pursuit of Sporting’s Pedro Goncalves may have taken a backseat after hearing of his eye-watering release clause.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently sitting in second place in the Premier League after drawing 2-2 with Brighton last weekend.

The Reds had excuses for not being able to retain their title last season, Covid and numerous injuries, but the Anfield outfit will be keen to ensure they are prepared for all occurrences in this campaign.

One of the clubs major worries will be the month of January as wingers Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Sadio Mane (Senegal) will both be away at the African Cup of Nations.

Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino will be Klopp’s remaining options, and according to Record, via Sport Witness, the former Dortmund wants to add Portuguese wonderkid Goncalves to that group in January.

However, the 23-year-old recently signed a contract extension with a release clause of £67.5million, and the Portuguese outfit are unwilling to accept anything but that fee for the forward.

The former Wolves player scored 23 goals in 32 appearances last season and has continued his good form with three goals in six appearances so far in this campaign.

Goncalves is usually deployed as a winger in the Primeira Liga, however, he has played as an attacking midfielder in seasons gone by and could be deployed by Klopp as a no.10 in his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 system.

Would Pedro Goncalves be a good signing for Liverpool? Have your say in the comments below.

Liverpool legend Stan Collymore has called for the Reds to sign a midfielder in January after the injury to Naby Keita at the weekend, who hobbled off of the pitch clutching his hamstring in the first half of the game.

Speaking to the Empire of the Kop, the 50-year-old said: “The central hub of Liverpool’s midfield now needs every one of the technical staff, every one of the recruitment staff, to look at it and say: “Is there an argument that we need to bring somebody in, in midfield?”

“I believe the answer to the argument is yes. Don’t now let this three-point gap to Chelsea become six or nine because you haven’t addressed those issues.”

With Thiago Alcantara, Keita, Fabinho and James Milner all sidelined with injury, the signing of Goncalves could ease Liverpool’s January woes in the final third but also be a long-term solution in midfield.

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