Liverpool chiefs could move to replace outbound right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold with Monaco’s Vanderson – with the highly-rated defender also attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
As Arne Slot looks to build on his landmark maiden campaign in the Premier League, he will have to do without the services of his current vice-captain when he comes to defend the title next season. Having played a significant role as the Reds secured a record-equalling 20th top flight crown, Alexander-Arnold will depart his boyhood club as a free agent this summer.
With the Liverpool academy product expected to join Real Madrid in the coming months, a host of potential replacements have been mooted by observers. While Anfield boss Slot re-affirmed his belief in youngster Conor Bradley as the player to fill that void, alternative transfer targets such as Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen have been discussed.
According to French publication L’Équipe, the Bay Arena full-back has been shortlisted as a target by recruitment chiefs on Merseyside. Meanwhile, their report also contends that Monaco’s Vanderson also is under consideration, with the Brazilian having caught the eye with his performances for the Principality outfit.
The 23-year-old has been capped five times by his country and has established a strong reputation for his attacking full-back displays at Stade Louis II. Adept in a more advanced wing-back role, he has amassed 123 appearances during his time at Monaco following his move from Gremio in his homeland.
The man from Rondonopolis has chalked up seven goals and nine assists to-date over the course of his four seasons with his current employers. Intriguingly, his performances for Les Monégasques have been characterized by his strong defensive prowess, as well as his attacking threat – potentially making him the perfect recruit for Slot’s system at Liverpool.
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According to scouting website WhoScored, the Brazilian star stands out among his peers on the continent in terms of a variety of characteristics. They note his strengths as being tackling, key passes, dribbling, ball interception and concentration with his only significant weakness being discipline.
Previously, ex-Monaco manager Philippe Clement discussed the right-back’s standout attributes, calling the player he coached during the 2022-23 season a “perfectionist”. He said: “Vanderson has been less consistent recently, but he is still a young player.
“He had an exceptional adaptation here [last season]. We have already spoken about that. He is also a player who is and continues to interest lots of big clubs.
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“That can possibly do something to the mindset, not that he didn’t have his feet on the ground, but Vanderson is very ambitious and a huge perfectionist.”
He continued: “Every day he wants to be better than the last. That can give him a lot of pressure, lots of stress with all of the ambition that he has. We need to manage that more for him. If I left him to it, he would train for 18 hours a day. He is like that.
Sometimes we need physical and mental breaks and he is a young player that needs to manage that. He will do it, because he has such a positive frame of mind.”
Vanderson committed his future to Adi Hütter’s side last year, signing a contract extension to tie him down to the club until at least 2028. However, it remains to be seen whether Monaco can hold onto one of its prized assets over the course of the summer, with elite clubs circling for the right-back.
