Dede Receiving "Interest From Liverpool" Says Agent

"There is interest from Liverpool,’ confirmed Giuliano Aranda, agent to Brazilian centre back Dede, giving credence to speculation Brazil's top defensive prospect is at least on the list of defenders Brendan Rodgers will seek to bring to Anfield over the summer.

It's not all good news for fans excited by the prospect of Dede starting next season at Liverpool, though, as Aranda admitted there has as yet been no talks between him and the club and that AC Milan appear to be closest to agreeing a fee for the player with Vasco de Gama.

"Vasco are awaiting Milan’s offer," added Aranda. "I believe there has been contact between the clubs and the Rossoneri’s interest in Dede is concrete, but at the moment they have not spoken to me directly."

Slightly older than many of the prospects Liverpool have been linked to since FSG came on the scene, the 24-year-old Brazilian centre back remains short of the finished product. He's nevertheless seen as Brazil's future defence, though he has so far only made seven appearances for the senior side.

At the club level, he has made 126 appearances for Vasco de Gama and scored 14 goals since the Brazilian giants bought him from Volta Redonda in 2009, but a move from Brazil's top flight to England could still mean growing pains for the towering defender.

As promising as he might be, his potential arrival—or the arrival of another prospect such as Feyenoord's Stefan de Vrij—would likely go hand in hand with the arrival of an established veteran presence like Ashley Williams or signal that Martin Skrtel will remain as next season's default starter alongside Daniel Agger.

Still, there are few who would question Dede's potential to become the top South American defender of his generation, and even if he's not quite there yet, his agent's confirmation of Liverpool interest means it might be time to ratchet up the excitement level to blackwatch plaid.

The cover of Rush's seminal album Moving Pictures will follow if Aranda confirms he's actually talking to Liverpool about his client.