Barcelona meet with Renato Sanches’ agent Jorge Mendes over transfer for Lille’s Euro 2020 star
BARCELONA have met agent Jorge Mendes as they ramp up their pursuit of Lille star Renato Sanches, according to reports in Spain.
The Spanish giants are looking to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of what could be another gruelling season.
Ronald Koeman already has a star-studded midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Pedri and Frenkie De Jong at his disposal.
But with matches coming thick and fast, the Dutch boss is itching to get a player with a real engine into his squad.
And after thriving at Lille and now back in the Portugal squad, Barca have opened enquiries about signing Sanches, still only 23, this summer, say Sport.
Barcelona are claimed to have met with Lille general manager Olivier Letang to hold preliminary talks.
But with the Ligue 1 giants qualifying for the Champions League last term, Letang is keen to hold on to his star asset.
Nonetheless, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is said to have met with Sanches’ agent Mendes.
Sanches burst on to the scene with Portugal at Euro 2016 as he played a huge role in their shock final win over France.
His hot form saw him bag a move from Benfica to Bayern Munich.
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But after failing to find his feet in Germany he was loaned to Swansea – where he endured a horror stint – in 2017-18, before being sold to Lille in 2019.
Since moving to France, Sanches has got his career back on track through hard work – and also going a little more under the radar – as he broke back into the Portugal squad for Euro 2020.
Now he may have earned himself another shot at the big time, with Barcelona rumoured to be joined by Bayern Munich on the hunt for the versatile midfielder.
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