Liverpool target 20-year-old Porto goal machine but £85m release clause looms

When Mohamed Salah packed his bags in the summer, every Kopite knew the hole left on the right wing would be staggering. We aren’t just talking about replacing a fan favourite or a quick pair of legs; we are talking about replacing a goal machine who consistently guaranteed 20 to 30 goals a season for nearly a decade.

Though former sporting director Richard Hughes and the recruitment team threw serious money around triggering Victor Muñoz’s €40m (£34m) release clause and shelling out a jaw-dropping £123m for Bradley Barcola there remains a glaring problem in Andoni Iraola’s frontline.

Both Muñoz and Barcola prefer operating off the left flank.Late summer attempts for Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh collapsed, leaving Iraola without a natural, left-footed goalscorer on the right side of his 4-2-3-1 system.

However, reports coming out of Portugal suggest Liverpool may have finally found their long-term heir. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims the Reds have kept FC Porto’s 20-year-old Brazilian starlet, William Gomes, “very highly rated on their list of potential targets” for a planned move.

Crucially, Gomes isn’t a traditional playmaker. His creativity stats in Portugal are modest, but as a pure finisher who creates high-volume shooting opportunities, he is elite for his age group.

For a Liverpool team that already features Florian Wirtz operating through the central pockets but currently sstruggling to adapt to English football, having a right-winger whose primary instincts are to cut inside on his left foot and attack the far post is exactly what the attack lacks.

The massive catch? He won’t come cheap, and he certainly won’t arrive overnight.

Porto officially tied Gomes down to a new long-term deal running until June 2031, bumping his release clause from €80m to a staggering €100m (around £85m). Porto president and former Spurs boss André Villas-Boas openly acknowledged the mounting Premier League interest while praising the youngster’s incredible work ethic:

“We’re happy with William’s progress, which is why we wanted to reward him. He’s attracted interest from many clubs, and we haven’t ignored that, but his commitment to Porto has been total. He’s a player who breaks all the statistical records through his effort and dedication.”

Porto manager Francesco Farioli was even more direct when asked about a potential mid-season transfer:

“The renewal was necessary, and the numbers in the release clause make me more comfortable. If someone comes, they’ll have to pay every last cent, but I want to keep him for a few more months.”

Liverpool, who famously hijacked Tottenham’s deal to land Luis Díaz from Dragão back in January 2022 for £49m, another raid on Porto will require immense patience and deep pockets.

Paying £85m for a 20-year-old with 15 goals in 55 Portuguese appearances is undoubtedly a massive gamble on potential. But as Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle continue to circle, Liverpool know that replacing a legend like Mo Salah was never going to be easy

Liverpool target 20-year-old Porto goal machine but £85m release clause looms