Liverpool could be facing a lot of competition as they look to sign one of Brazil’s rising footballers. Thiago Maia has been rising up the ranks at Santos and the Reds are linked with a move for the 19-year-old but so are Napoli from the Serie , according to ESPN Brazil.

The defensive midfielder has made 90 appearances for the Brazilian side and also won the Gold medal with the national side during the recent Olympics. Maia has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Juventus but it is Liverpool who are being linked with a serious move for the youngster.

The 19-year-old could be the answer to Liverpool’s need of a proper defensive midfielder and could also spell the end of the other Brazilian in the side who plays in the same role, Lucas Leiva. Maia, though, was not getting caught up in all the speculation and shared his views on his impending transfer.

The midfielder was quoted by Liverpool Echo as saying,

“I’m on vacation, it’s been a lot of work, but a very important year in my career,” he said.

“I was an Olympic champion and, in Santos, we had a regular season, the São Paulo title and the Brazilian runner-up. The Saints and my representatives decide if it’s time for a transfer. If it’s to stay, the supporter can rest easy, I want to repeat the good season, play Libertadores and be a champion.”

Out with the old and in with the new?

Maia certainly would be an addition for the future at the club since the Reds don’t really play with a defensive midfielder at the moment. The 19-year-old certainly can move about on the pitch and would be a valuable player next season, should the Reds make it to the Champions League.

Signing him in January might be a bit of an issue as Klopp had stated that he is actually looking to sign an attacking player rather than a defensive one. This would also mean the end of the road for Lucas, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, yet again.

The Reds only have Emre Can and Marko Grujic, who can play in a bit of a defensive role, while Maia is an out and out defensive midfielder. The Reds will have to move fast if they are to secure the signing of the Brazilian.

Klopp does have a history of giving youngsters a chance and Maia would certainly develop into a better footballer under the German but it will be worth seeing just where he ends up landing come the end of the next transfer window.

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