Liverpool are preparing to make an offer for Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes in January, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Long-term vision

The Reds signed Arthur Melo from Juventus on a season-long loan over the summer to provide cover for the ongoing injury crisis, but now it seems like the club are thinking ahead with a view to the long term.

The 21-year-old Gomes has impressed for the Brazilian giants since nailing down a starting place in Dorival Junior’s side, and this has caught the eye of a potential Premier League suitor, with the Anfield outfit name-checked.

The Latest: Liverpool readying Gomes offer

According to journalist Julio Miguel Neto (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are ‘preparing’ a bid for Gomes, and are ‘interested’ in signing him during the upcoming window.

It’s reported that Jurgen Klopp has been watching his target ‘for some time’, and ‘wants him in the squad’ for the second half of the 2022/23 season.

The Verdict: Bellingham stop-gap?

Liverpool are already believed to be plotting a big-money move for Jude Bellingham next summer, but that doesn’t appear to have stopped them from wanting to splash the cash on other assets before then.

Gomes, dubbed a ‘midfield destroyer’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, currently averages 3.1 tackles per Brazilian Serie A game and has an 87.2% pass success rate (WhoScored), highlighting his ability to dictate a game in a similar manner to Reds star Fabinho.

Given his young age, it’s likely that Gomes wouldn’t be thrown straight into the starting XI, but similarly to Fabio Carvalho, provides an exciting, more youthful option for the boss to have at his disposal.