Rumours: Reds show interest in Santos starlet
Liverpool are reported to be interested in prising Brazilian teenager Thiago Maia away from Santos.
Three other European clubs are said to have the 19-year-old in their sights, with the Reds facing competition from Monaco, Schalke and Napoli - according to ESPN Brazil.
The Serie A club have already rejected an offer of €18m from Zenit St Petersburg and would be looking for a higher offer to secure the midfielder's services.
Napoli have reportedly offered a fee of around €12m. But in his contract, which runs out in 2019, it states that the player would receive 30 per cent of the fee for any transfer - which could drive the club's asking price up.
Now the Brazilian season is over, he is currently taking a break before the season starts back in January. "I'm on vacation, it's been a lot of work, but a very important year in my career," he said.
"I was an Olympic champion and, in Santos, we had a regular season, the São Paulo title and the Brazilian runner-up. The Saints and my representatives decide if it's time for a transfer. If it's to stay, the supporter can rest easy, I want to repeat the good season, play Libertadores and be a champion."
Maia plays as a deep-lying midfielder and should Klopp decide to bring him to Anfield, he would compete with Emre Can and Lucas for that role alongside captain Jordan Henderson.
He has played for Brazil at U17, U20 and U23 level. He has played in Brazil’s top flight for three seasons and clocked up 90 senior appearances for Santos.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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