Renato Sanches, linked with Liverpool, close to signing for Serie A champions AC Milan

Renato Sanches was a player linked with a move to Liverpool last year, but it seems AC Milan are close to signing the 24-year-old for £8.5million this summer, according to Sky Italia (h/t Liverpool Echo).

The Portuguese broke onto the scene after impressing for Benfica. The 2016 Euros helped more people witness his talent. Bayern Munich decided to spend a considerable amount of money to secure the signing of the sought-after youngster.

But his time with the Bavarians was challenging to say the least. The 24-year-old failed to establish himself in his debut season under Pep Guardiola. Sanches was shipped off to Swansea on loan the next season and his time in the Premier League made his stock tumble.

Playing 15 games for the South Wales side, the Portuguese midfielder had a terrible season in England’s first-tier. Then a hamstring injury kept him out for most of the league campaign in the second half of the season.

Sanches returned to Bayern in an even worse position than he had left. Although he did manage to feature for the German club, minutes were limited. In the 2019/20 season, his Bavarian chapter closed and the former prospect joined LOSC Lille.

By that time, people had already gotten over Sanches and it felt like his time had passed. Expectations were low and most people didn’t really peg the midfielder to do what he did next. The 24-year-old managed to get back to his best, showing glimpses of why Bayern had signed him in the first place.

The Portuguese stars renaissance

For the French side, the Portuguese has played regularly. Unless injuries have forced him to the sidelines, Sanches has been the Ligue 1 club’s main man in midfield, being the driving force in the engine room.

While injuries have hampered his time on the pitch, the player has still managed to be one of Lille’s best players. The French side won the Ligue 1 title, upsetting the betting favourites PSG.

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With an eye for a pass and goal, coupled with the willingness to run after the ball, Jurgen Klopp could’ve done with someone like him. Liverpool’s long season winded most players in the side and the team looked lethargic by the end of the campaign, although we fought till the end in every competition.

Liverpool were linked with Sanches last summer before an injury sidelined him. The box-to-box midfielder would’ve added robustness and quality in the middle of the park had he come to the Merseyside club.