Rumour Mongering: Brazilian Starlet Angles for Anfield Move

The international break has just begun, and fans probably aren’t entirely done building their injury return projection calendars as the Reds look to field something resembling a full squad when the season resumes ten days from now, but a short transfer rumour intermission has never hurt anyone, so here we go.

A few weeks ago, RB Salzburg-bound Brenden Aaronson got a head start on the 2022 rumour mill as he announced his ambition to play for Liverpool in the Premier League at some point in his career. Whether this will prove a successful strategy remains to be seen, but it seems to have appealed to others, and so, not to be outdone, a Brazilian attacker has thrown his hat in the ring.

Tetê may not be a household name at this point, but even casual observers will likely have noted his name when he scored one and set up another in Shakhtar Donetsks shock win at the Santiago Bernabeu three weeks ago. The 20-year old is in his third season in Ukraine and, already a two-time champion, has begun looking for the next step in his career.

Not yet an established starter, the former Grêmio man has nonetheless racked up 14 goals and 12 assists for the reigning Premier Liga champions, averaging a goal involvement every 123 minutes, and has appeared in every Hirnyky game this season. Predictably quick and skillful, the left-footer displays terrific close control and is a willing presser, but still needs to work on his passing in the final third, which can be wasteful at times.

Shakhtar’s Brazilian production line has developed some terrific talents over the years — with Fernandinho, Willian and Douglas Costa the clear standouts — and the club are willing sellers, but also drive a hard bargain, and will not let their talent leave on the cheap. A €70m fee was floated by the club in the spring and seems entirely unrealistic, but also indicates that there are likely no bargains to be had.

Competition is also likely to be stiff, and with the player declaring his love for Barcelona soon after putting their fiercest rivals to the sword, the Catalonians — soon to be under new management and in all probability without their greatest ever star — might look to make a statement in the market.