Liverpool tracking young Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo

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Liverpool tracking young Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo

Liverpool are taking a keen interest in emerging young Sao Paulo centre-back Lucas Beraldo, 90min understands.

Beraldo has been one of the standout young defenders in Brazil after breaking into Sao Paulo's team in 2022, and was a key player in Sao Paulo's recent Copa do Brasil triumph, starting in the heart of their defence in both legs of the final clash against Flamengo and helping his side to an eventual 2-1 aggregate win.

The Brazil Under-20 international has become an increasingly important player for Sao Paulo, with his range of passing and ability to drift past opponents to retain possession in their own defensive third among his star qualities, and his performances have not gone unnoticed in Europe.

90min understands that Wolves saw a bid for Beraldo rejected by Sao Paulo during the summer transfer window - the club ultimately opting to sign Santiago Bueno for £8.5m from Girona on deadline day instead - but Liverpool are keeping an increasingly close eye on his development.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that Liverpool's scouting team have watched Beraldo a number of times over recent months, as they look for potential long-term successors to Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, who are both 32.

Matip and Van Dijk have been Jurgen Klopp's preferred centre-back partnership this season, and the club do also have Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah - who has thoroughly impressed when given minutes this season - on the books. Crucially though, Beraldo would offer Liverpool a left-footed option that they don't currently have.

Bayern Munich and Ligue 1 duo Olympique Lyonnais and Monaco have also recently sent scouts to Brazil to watch Beraldo, with the interest in his services likely to pick up further the more games he plays, though sources have further confirmed to 90min that Sao Paulo hope to reward his progress with a new deal.

Fresh terms would reflect Beraldo's current standing in Sao Paulo's squad, lengthening a contract that is currently set to run out in 2026, and would put the Brazilian giants in a strong negotiating position in regards to a future sale.