Report: Nuno Mendes delaying contract talks due to Liverpool transfer desire

Mon 30 November 2020 13:15, UK

Nuno Mendes is delaying signing a new contract with Sporting Lisbon with the player thought to be keen on a move to Liverpool,

The 18-year-old has a release clause in his current contract which would allow him to leave for £40 million.

It is thought that the Portuguese giants are keen to tie the teenager to a new deal with a much higher release clause.

(Photo; Gualter Fatia; Getty Images)

If a new clause is inserted into any fresh terms, Liverpool would back out of the race – with Newcastle and Leicester also said to be interested.

Mendes currently earns £12,000-a-week in Portugal and any new deal would significantly increase his wages.

His current deal runs until 2025 but the growing interest has promoted Sporting Lisbon to act.

Mendes has played eight times in Liga NOS this season, scoring during a 2-0 win over Portimonense back in October.

He has helped his current team to seven wins and a draw from their opening eight games of the campaign.

The youngster came through the ranks as a left-back but has this season taken up a position on the left-hand side of midfield.

The real beauty of signing Mendes would be his potential to become a future star in the game of football.

As a wonderkid, he is currently getting plenty of senior game time and long may that continue.

Another factor of a deal that would surely suit Liverpool is his ability to play in a number of positions.

(Photo; Mike Hewitt; Getty Images)

Liverpool have Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas capable of playing left-back but he could also provide competition in the attack.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are the usual wide options but some exciting competition for those two could prove ideal.

Signing the player £40 million doesn’t make him cheap.

If he settles and continues to improve, however, he could quickly become another Michael Edwards masterclass.

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