Liverpool are interested in signing Santos left-back Vinicius Lira this summer, seeing him as an ideal replacement for Andy Robertson.
The Reds legend’s Anfield future remains up in the air, having been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham during the January transfer window. He must be pleased he didn’t head there, in hindsight!
There have been big recent claims that Robertson will be offered a contract extension by Liverpool, however, courtesy of journalist Pete O’Rourke:
“Although he’d be a free agent it wouldn’t be a cheap deal to do because of the wages that probably Andy Robertson’s on right now. It does seem that Robertson and Liverpool are willing to make a decision at the end of the season and they won’t rush into anything.
“It’ll be Robertson’s decision what he wants to do. I think if he wants to stay at Liverpool, a new contract will be on the table for him. If he wants to move on, Liverpool won’t stand in his way. Robertson at this stage of his career still probably want to play at the highest level possible so I’m sure there’ll be rival Premier League interest in Robertson’s signature.”
Now, Sport Witness report that Liverpool are eyeing a move for Lira from Santos in the summer transfer window, having been “following” him in “recent months”.
The 18-year-old is seen as the ideal long-term replacement for Robertson at left-back, although given his age, he would likely be a work in progress, so he could come in even if the veteran stays.
Succession planning after Andy Robertson vital at Liverpool
It remains to be seen what Robertson’s decision will be this summer, ahead of his contract expiring, but there is no doubt that a succession plan is required at Liverpool.
Milos Kerkez has made the left-back spot his own, having grown into life at Anfield, but signing an even younger player than him makes perfect sense.
The hope is that Lira could be that man – analyst Ben Mattinson has hailed his “great athleticism and dynamism” – although given his lack of experience, especially in Europe, it would be unfair to expect too much from him straight away.
His contract expires next March, so Santos may see this as a good opportunity to cash in on him, and it will be interesting to see what develops.
