Liverpool ‘mouths watering’ over €45m defender deal as contact is established over summer transfer
A new defender has emerged onto the Liverpool transfer wish list, according to a report that suggests they have made contact for a Sporting CP star.
Liverpool are looking to upgrade their defence this summer, since Joel Matip might leave. There have also been concerns about the form of Joe Gomez, while it will be useful to find a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk who can partner Ibrahima Konate for years to come.
There have already been several links with potential targets, but a new one has cropped up via Portuguese outlet Record on Friday.
It is claimed that Liverpool have made contact with the representatives of Sporting’s Jeremiah St. Juste to find out about his availability in the summer.
Liverpool supposedly watched him in action for Sporting when they knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League. Liking what they saw, they now have their “mouths watering” about the idea of signing him.
To prise him out of Lisbon, Liverpool could activate the €45million (£39.57m) release clause in St. Juste’s contract. Otherwise, his deal with Sporting is due to last until 2026.
St. Juste has played 28 times in all competitions for his current club so far this season. Only six of his 18 league appearances have been starts, though.
The 26-year-old has been acclimatising in his debut season with Sporting. Previously, he has endured spells with Heerenveen, Feyenoord and Mainz.
Mainly a centre-half, he can also adapt as a right-back if required. Of course, that is another position Liverpool might be looking at after lingering questions about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s suitability for the role.
But strengthening centrally seems to be Liverpool’s priority, where St. Juste could become a solution. Known for his pace, he could add a new element to their backline.
Liverpool to continue spending in Portugal
Coincidentally, Liverpool have also been mentioned as one of the many suitors for his Sporting centre-back colleague, Goncalo Inacio.
The Reds have done a fair bit of business with Portuguese clubs in recent transfer windows. For example, in January 2022, they signed Luis Diaz from Porto, before bringing in Darwin Nunez from Benfica that summer.
Perhaps St. Juste or Inacio could be the next to follow a similar path, this time from Sporting obviously.
The Lisbon-based outfit are currently fourth in the Portuguese top flight. Therefore, they are currently outsiders in the race for Champions League qualification, just like Liverpool are in the Premier League.
It will be interesting to see how each of them finish their respective seasons, and how that may affect their appeal in the upcoming summer transfer window.
But a club of Liverpool’s pedigree will retain a degree of attractiveness either way. Hence, St. Juste might want to keep an ear out for what they have to offer if they firm up their interest in him.
For now, he will simply be one to keep an eye on as the transfer window approaches.
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