Liverpool threaten to pull ahead of Man United in the race for 17-year-old Portuguese starlet | OneFootball

Liverpool to bid for Manchester United target Nuno Mendes

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t Metro), Liverpool are set to bid for Manchester United target Nuno Mendes in the coming days.

The 17-year-old defender had attracted interest from United. He was almost included as a part of the Bruno Fernandes transfer last January.

Capable of playing either at centre-back or left-back, the youngster is held in high regard back in his homeland. Mendes is yet to make a senior appearance for the club but is a regular in their Under-23 side.

He has made 17 appearances in the Liga Revelecao and has scored one goal and three assists during that time. (h/t Transfermarkt)

Although Liverpool have arguably the best left-back in world football amidst their ranks, Jurgen Klopp is keen to reinforce his defensive options. According to the report, Mendes will cost between €15million – €20million.

Speaking to Canal11 (h/t Metro), Sporting president Frederico Varandes admitted that Mendes is one of the most talented young defenders in Europe and plenty of top clubs are after him. He also went on to label Mendes as the best Under-19 left-back in Europe.

The youngster’s contract at the Jose Alvalade expires in 2021. Sporting are keen to keep him and have offered him a two-year extension. Mendes has, however, rejected the offer. (h/t Metro)

United are in good terms with the youngster’s agent, Miguel Pinho. This could help us seal a move for the attacking full-back.

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United have over the years bought a number of players from Sporting. Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Marcos Rojo, and Bruno Fernandes.

Mendes can be added to the list if the club decides to act on it. Quality fullbacks are worth their gold in modern-day football. Beating Liverpool to the player will make it much sweeter.