Blow for Liverpool as Real Madrid "set their sites" on player Jurgen Klopp has sent scouts to watch

Liverpool are believed to have been tracking Flamengo star Joao Gomes for a while now, but they could miss out on the youngster to European rivals Real Madrid, who have 'set their sights' on the 21-year-old.

Gomes, who is most comfortable operating at the base of a midfield, has captured the attention of many a club in Europe.

Alongside Liverpool and Real Madrid, Manchester United are also said to be interested in signing the player.

Gomes has recently signed a new contract with Flamengo, a five-year extension, but the Brazilian club will reportedly listen to offers for the player for just under £30m.

As per Diario AS, Real Madrid view the Brazilian as a long-term replacement for Casemiro who has of course recently left the club to join Manchester United.

That said, Aurelien Tchouameni has been performing impressively in Casemiro’s absence. Whether Real really need Gomes is debateable.

Liverpool, on the other hand, quite clearly need to sign a number of young midfielders over the course of the next few transfer windows.

All three of Thiago Alcantara, James Milner, and Jordan Henderson are now the wrong side of 30 and will likely be moved on sooner rather than later.

In terms of what they already have in midfield regarding youth, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are valuable assets, but they’re certainly more offensively oriented engine room players.

Liverpool require young midfielders who can do it both. Players who could perhaps operate both in the #6 role at the base of midfield, and in the wider #8 roles.

By all accounts, Joao Gomes is that type of player. As a project signing, a move for the Brazil youngster would make a lot of sense.

Links to another young midfielder have also grown stronger for Liverpool over the last few days, with long-term target Jude Bellingham said to be firmly on the club’s radar.

Jurgen Klopp's side will now be mulling over just how much they’d be willing to pay to sign the 19-year-old. Dortmund reportedly want more than £100 million.