Rafa Soares 'flattered' by Liverpool link
Liverpool have been linked with another left back with Porto's Rafa Soares the latest man in the frame.
Strengthening a position where James Milner filled in impressively last year is on the wish list at Anfield this season with Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon originally high on the list of possibles.
But with the 17-year-old expected to stay in London, with a switch to Spurs favoured, the Reds have had to cast their net further afield.
Soares has spoken highly of Liverpool although he is also hopeful of making a break through at Porto, where he has not made a first team appearance yet.
Instead he spent last year on loan at Rio Ave, whom he helped to a seventh placed finish in Portugal's Primeira Liga, making 32 league appearances and 38 in total. He also collected three goals and five assists.
The 22-year-old came through the youth system at Porto, is a Portuguese youth international and also spent time on loan at second tier Coimbra at the start of 2016.
"I know I've been followed by English clubs especially after our campaign," Soares told Omnisport.
"Liverpool are a great club and to be linked is an enormous honour for me. I followed Liverpool from a young age and I shiver every time I listen to You'll Never Walk Alone, it's unique!
"Liverpool are famous and popular in Portugal where people value the history of a club. I'm naturally flattered, but I'm a Porto player and focused on succeeding here."
Soares also spoke about his desire to impress new Porto coach Sergio Conceicao who took over in June.
"My main goal is to establish myself and get first-team football. I feel ready and confident that after my last season I will be given a chance.
"I keep my feet on the ground and focus on climbing my way up one step at a time. Fans support and trust me to become a symbol of the club, as I have been here for over 10 years and feel Porto in my bones.
"In 2015-16 it was rumoured Conceicao wanted me to join him in Vitoria Guimaraes – where he was coach at the time – which may mean he trusts and believes in me."
Porto though recently became the only club to be punished by UEFA for a breach of Financial Fair Play rules this year.
The club, runners-up to Benfica in the league and knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus in the last 16, agreed a four-year settlement deal which includes a 700,000 euros fine (possibly rising to 2.2m euros) and a restriction on their Champions League squad from next season.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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