On the day in which Arne Slot offered a hint into his plans for Conor Bradley at Liverpool, the Premier League champions-elect might also had made considerable progress in their pursuit of another right-back.
And it appears that Jamie Carragher may just see his wish granted.
Carragher wants Liverpool to put their faith in Conor Bradley. Hand the Northern Ireland international the keys to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s kingdom, he argues, once a modern Anfield great relocates to sunny Spain.
Bradley, presuming he can make the step up from squad player to starter, could potentially save Liverpool from investing considerable sums in a more established Trent successor.
“I think he’s done well enough where you would have to go; ‘You know what? You still buy someone but it might not be a right-back for £40 – £50 million’,” Carragher argues. “We might go and buy someone for £25m or a fourth-choice centre-back who can play right-back [instead].
“Give [Bradley] 12 months [to prove himself].”
And reports that Liverpool are keen to bring in Wesley Franca from Flamengo – potentially for exactly the fee Carragher suggested by the way – means that Arne Slot is likely to find himself with two up-and-coming right-backs next term, rather than with one clear starter and one obvious understudy.
Photo by Ruano Carneiro/Getty ImagesWesley Franca update from Brazil as Liverpool target edges closer to Premier League
Wesley Franca’s representatives were spotted in England this week.
Flamengo are ‘prepared’ for the Liverpool-linked Brazil international’s departure – director Jose Boto explains – and it appears that Wesley’s camp are now holding face-to-face talks with a number of suitors as the summer window approaches.
Jorge Nicola, one of the most respected reporters in Brazilian football, offers few hints about where the jet-heeled 21-year-old will end up.
He does, however, confirm that discussions are indeed taking place on UK soil with Flamengo holding out for a fee in the region of £25 million.
“Wesley’s agent travelled to England,” Nicola says. “And the reason for the trip has to do with the possibility of the player’s departure in the middle of the year.
“Wesley’s representatives went to visit clubs that have already approached him to understand first the structure of each of these teams, then the projects of these teams.
“Flamengo have already hinted that this is a more or less an obvious negotiation.”
Givairo Read unlikely as ‘bullet fast’ Wesley emerges as Reds option
Boto believes that few right-backs across the globe can rival Wesley Franca’s ‘technical ability and speed’. The Flamengo chief also accepts that, after the club’s prized asset made his senior Brazil debut in March, keeping him beyond the summer is likely to be an impossible task.
“[Wesley] almost left Flamengo in the last two windows,” Nicola adds. “Him staying should guarantee much more money than in previous negotiations.
“Flamengo refused a proposal of 12 million euros and then almost sold him for 18 million euros. At this moment, the conversations are must not be less than 30 million euros.
“And, if Wesley’s departure is confirmed, there will need to be a new player [to take his place].”
In addition to Wesley, Liverpool have also been linked with Braga’s Roger Fernandes.
Arne Slot is a big fan of Feyenoord starlet Givairo Read, meanwhile. He handed the 19-year-old his debut back in 2024. Read has since signed a new deal, though, at the Dutch giants.
“He’s a very attacking full-back,” South American expert Tim Vickery told talkSPORT of Wesley Franca during the January window, when Aston Villa were mentioned. “Very quick. Bullet fast.
“But he’s not the greatest defensive full-back.”
A work in progress, then. But these are the type of signings in which Liverpool usually excel.