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Man United face Liverpool competition for £40.9m Portuguese starlet

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Manchester United to battle Liverpool, Juventus for Nuno Mendes

According to a report from Calciomercato (h/t Express), Manchester United remain interested in signing Sporting Lisbon starlet Nuno Mendes, but face competition from Liverpool and Juventus.

Mendes joined Sporting’s youth ranks in 2015 for just £680. The 18-year-old is now regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe. The left-back has featured 17 times for the club’s U17 side, scoring one and setting up three more.

The teenager made his first-team debut last month when the season resumed and has gone on to feature seven times since. He has largely been used as a left wing-back by manager Ruben Amorim and the youngster has impressed.

Realising the potential he possesses, Sporting president Frederico Varandas handed the youngster a five-year contract last month. He reportedly has a release clause worth £40.9m.

Nuno Mendes (L) is a target for Manchester United
Nuno Mendes (L) is a target for Manchester United

That has not dissuaded Manchester United from pursuing the signing of the Portuguese talent. There is hope that we can get the deal over the line as Mendes shares the same agent as our playmaker Bruno Fernandes. (h/t Express)

However, we will now have to face competition from arch rivals Liverpool and Italian champions Juventus. The report claims that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the left-back’s skills and has been ‘bewitched’ by his abilities.

Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri is also keen on landing the 18-year-old and sees him as Alex Sandro’s long-term successor. And the Italians seemingly have the upper hand owing to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who shares a ‘bond’ with the youngster. (h/t Express)

Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s presence at Juventus could give them the upper hand

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It will be interesting to see if the club’s interest in the left-back turns into a concrete interest in the coming weeks.