Report: Liverpool leading Manchester United in race for Portuguese sensation Nuno Mendes

Portuguese outlet A Bola have claimed that Liverpool are leading Manchester United in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon wonderkid Nuno Mendes this summer – and are ready to table two separate offers for the left-back.

Mendes, 17, has already broken into the Portugal Under-19 side on five separate occasions and is considered one of the country’s best up-and-coming talents. He has clocked up 17 appearances for the club’s reserve side.

Sporting’s Under-23 side play in a division called Liga Revelacao and Mendes has been a crucial part of their campaign, even having a hand in four goals – scoring once and laying on three assists.

That goalscoring impact from full-back is likely to have caught the attention of Liverpool. The Reds are willing to table a £13.4million offer plus a sell-on clause, or £17.8million without one. Manchester United are also interested.

TBR’s view – Liverpool need a replacement left-back, Mendes is ideal

Mendes is a top, top talent and it is crucial that the left-back begins to get first-team football in the next few seasons. At Liverpool, it is unlikely he will do that to begin with – but in the Cup competitions, he could certainly get a chance.

Other than Andy Robertson, Liverpool have little cover at left-back. James Milner is likely to be the Scotland captain’s first replacement, but obviously the veteran Liverpool ace is naturally a midfielder.

Bringing Mendes to the club would ease the concerns on the left side of defence, even if he is yet to make his professional debut.

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