Liverpool eye 19-year-old wonderkid as Van Dijk heir
Jacque Talbot
- 3 Oct 2023 09:20 BST
- 3 min read
Liverpool are monitoring Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo as a possible Virgil van Dijk replacement, according to reports.
The 19-year-old has been one of the best young players in the Brazil Serie A so far after managing to break through into the Sao Paulo first-team.
And 90min states that the Reds are keeping an eye on the youngster’s progress ahead of the January window.
Beraldo helped his side in their recent Copa do Brasil victory, starting in both legs as Sao Paulo beat Flamengo in an eventual 2-1 aggregate win.
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The report claims that Wolves saw a bid for Beraldo rejected by Sao Paulo during the summer transfer window before going on to sign defender Santiago Bueno for £8.5m from Girona.
Liverpool joins race
Now Liverpool are keeping tabs on Beraldo, whose become a key figure with his current side, becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.. The club have even sent scouts to watch Beraldo a number of times this year, with a view of replacing veterans Joel Matip and van Dijk.
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The pair have been among Jurgen Klopp’s longest servants but the club also have Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah among their ranks.
However, the German is after another player who can come in and solidify that backline. Beraldo is also left-footed and that is something that Liverpool are lacking at the moment, while his young age means that the Reds will be purchasing his potential if they were to make a move.
The Reds may face competition for the teenager, however, with Bayern Munich, Lyon and Monaco also sending scouts to watch over the player’s progress.
It is thought that Sao Paulo are looking to offer Beraldo fresh terms, with his current deal set to run out in 2026.
