Liverpool ‘open Sanches transfer talks’ with Lille as Wijnaldum replacement

Liverpool are set to open talks with Ligue Un club Lille for the transfer of Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches.

The 23-year-old has played in the Premier League before with Swansea City but failed to catch the eye in his debut campaign in England.

A title winner in France last season, Sanches also featured for Portugal in all of their Euro 2020 matches before A Seleção were knocked out by Belgium in the round of 16.

Just three seasons after flopping in South Wales, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has earmarked the 2016 Golden Boy winner as the man to replace Gini Wijnaldum in the heart of his Liverpool midfield.

Known for his strength, passing ability and versatility across the middle of the park, Sanches is comfortable in all three of Liverpool's central areas; this has notified Klopp who is in the market for a midfielder.

Journalist Nicolo Schira reports that Liverpool have "opened talks" with Lille over a permanent transfer and that discussions are now ongoing.

With doubts over the long-term fitness of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the departure of Gini Wijnaldum, central midfield is one area of the pitch where Liverpool are in need of reinforcements.

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After five years at Anfield, Wijnaldum had orignally been thought to have left for Barcelona, but a last minute talk with Mauricio Pochettino persuaded him to sign for PSG instead.

Wijnaldum has penned a three-year deal with the Parisian club and played his last game for Liverpool in the Reds 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

In his post-match interview the Dutchman cited contractual differences as the reason for not extending his current deal:

"I'm fighting against my tears right now," said Wijanldum to the Sky Sports cameras.

"I've said that the people in Liverpool and the club, my team-mates, have shown me love during the five years, and I will miss them.

"I hoped to play many more years for the club but unfortunately things went different."

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