Liverpool are reportedly lining up a bid for Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes ahead of the January transfer window.
After being hampered with injuries to a number of midfield players at the beginning of the season, Jurgen Klopp was keen to bolster his options in the middle of the pitch over the summer window.
The Reds eventually waited until deadline day to complete the signing of Brazil international Arthur Melo on a season long-loan deal from Juventus.
Liverpool have the option to sign Arthur for £32.5m (€37.5m) next summer, but a recent report claims that they may be willing to let the 26-year-old leave in January if they decide to move for a new midfielder.
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According to journalist Julio Miguel Neto, Liverpool are preparing to table an offer to sign 21-year-old Gomes from Flamengo in either January or next summer.
Neto adds that Klopp has been closely monitoring the highly-rated midfielder and has been keeping abreast of Flamengo's performances for some time.
It is thought that Liverpool could face competition to recruit Gomes, however, as Manchester United and Atletico Madrid have also been credited with an interest.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Gomes joined Flamengo's academy back in 2009 and worked his way through the club's youth ranks before making his senior debut in November 2020.
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Gomes, who primarily operates as a defensive midfielder, has since become a first-team regular with the seven-time Brasileiro Serie A champions, making 105 appearances across all competitions.
The 5ft 9in midfielder has made 51 of those appearances in 2022 and he could be in contention to play in the Copa Libertadores final when Flamengo face Athletico Paranaense at the end of next month.
Flamengo are under no pressure to sell Gomes in the near future as he is under contract until December 2025.
Liverpool have also been linked with a host of other midfielders in recent months including Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella and RB Leipzig's Konrad Laimer.
The latter of whom, however, has recently played down suggestions of a potential move to Anfield and believes a future move to the Premier League is not a priority in his career.
Oliver Thomas
