As per reports going on in Portugal, Liverpool are linked with Sporting CP attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
According to Correio da Manha, Spurs are leading the race to hire the 24-year-old star but they have to hurry because Liverpool and Man United are also looking for an opportunity to lure him.
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The renowned Portuguese media outlet have claimed that a move from European champions can change everything as Fernandes has publicly praised the style of football at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Comments made by Fernandes:
Last month, the Seleccao star revealed (De Cadeirinha via Record) that he likes the way Manchester City and Liverpool play football but more importantly, he said that he likes our style a lot more.
“I like Liverpool a lot more, it’s a more direct (style of play), more offensive, maybe less organized, but more intense football, when you do not have the ball possession, you are more intense.”
“In Liverpool they are more individual players, especially in the midfield, usually playing three very aggressive players and recovering the ball, then they have three players at the front who are lethal”
Stats and playing position:
For Liverpool, Mohamed Salah was once again the top scorer. The Egytpian winger netted 27 goals in all competitions in the recently concluded campaign (BBC).
Bruno Fernandes was in the form of his life for Sporting CP. He netted 32 times in all competitions and also provided 18 assists as well. So, overall, he directly contributed in no fewer than 50 goals for the Portuguese giants in 53 appearances (Transfermarkt).
For Portugal, he made his senior international debut back in 2017 and so far, he has played 12 games for the Euro 2016 champions. The Seleccao recently won the UEFA Nations League and Fernandes started in the semi final (vs Switzerland) and also in the final (vs The Netherlands).
The Primeira Liga side utilized the former Udinese star in multiple positions but mainly, he played and excelled in the central attacking midfield role (Transfermarkt).
Contract and price tag:
Fernandes’ current contract with Sporting CP will expire in 4 years (2023) and as per Correio da Manha, the Portuguese club are looking for a fee of around 70 million euros (£62million) for their captain.
Scenario at Liverpool:
At the moment, Jurgen Klopp has got an over crowded midfield department with players like Lallana, Grujic, Milner, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and skipper Henderson around.
However, not even one of the above mentioned stars is a natural central attacking midfielder. Our top scoring midfielder in the last campaign was James Milner, who netted 7 goals (5 from the penalty spot).
Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho used to play in the AM role at times when he was here at Anfield (Transfermarkt) but mostly, Jurgen Klopp has preferred the 4-3-3 formation and the system worked brilliantly well without a natural CAM in the recently concluded season.
Last month, club legend Phil Thompson claimed (Sky Sports via Metro) that Klopp should look to sign a creative midfield star. Do you think that the Reds should lure Fernandes?
