Liverpool are interested in signing Vasco da Gama central defender Dede, but face competition from AC Milan for his signature.
Liverpool will compete with AC Milan for the signing of Vasco Da Gama defender Dede, according to the Metro.
The Brazil international has jumped ahead of Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, Ashley Williams of Swansea City and Ajax star Toby Alderweireld on Brendan Rodgers’ list of transfer targets, with his agent Giuliano Aranda revealing the Reds’ interest.
“There is interest from Liverpool,” said Aranda. “But there have been no talks between me and that club.”
AC Milan are Liverpool’s closest rivals in the race to sign Dede, whose reputation has grown enormously in his home country over the last three seasons, and is beginning to make waves across the Atlantic in Europe.
The Metro claim that the Brazilian will cost a buying club £15 million, but with Vasco attempting to raise cash due to financial difficulties, there is a chance they could be negotiated down from that price.
The 24 year-old is a solid defender who is strong in the tackle and thanks to his 6’3″ height and immense leap, he is prodigious in the air too.
However, a surprisingly impressive attribute of Dede’s play is his goalscoring – given his position of centre back.
In 2011, he scored a remarkable 12 goals in 56 appearances for Vasco, and though he hasn’t matched that incredible tally since, he has a more similar record this season, with 3 goals from his 13 games so far in the Carioca.
It is likely that centre half will be a key area of strengthening for Liverpool this summer.
Jamie Carragher has announced his retirement, Sebastian Coates has revealed he is considering leaving to find first team football, and Martin Skrtel has lost his place in the team due to poor form.
Perhaps Dede could be Daniel Agger’s partner in central defence next season.
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