Liverpool are set to start negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over the signing of Matheus Nunes, just days after enquiring about Jude Bellingham, according to The Express. Despite already bringing in Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay this summer, the Reds are still looking to bolster their ageing midfield department with one new addition. Fabrizio Romano revealed earlier this week that the Merseyside club had made an audacious request for Jude Bellingham, asking Borussia Dortmund about the Englishman’s availability this summer.

However, Dortmund have made it clear on numerous occasions that they do not want to lose Bellingham and Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City this summer, in the same window.  The Champions League finalists may have to wait until 2023 to properly pursue the former Birmingham man. Now, reports in Portugal claim that Liverpool are ready to start formal negotiations with Sporting over the signing of Matheus Nunes.

Correio de Manha have reported that the North West club have entered the race for Nunes, who is being touted as one of the hottest properties in European football right now. Chelsea have also recently explored a possible deal for the 23-year-old, as well as Premier League champions Manchester City. Sporting are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £45 million, although the player does have a £51 million release clause in his contract.

He made 50 appearances for Sporting across all competitions in the 2021/22 season, scoring four goals. With Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson and James Milner all the wrong side of 30, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future in doubt, Liverpool are clearly on the market for a younger player to slot into this midfield department for the long-term. Nunes may represent the perfect alternative to Bellingham to fill this role in the Reds’ squad