Liverpool targeting Brazilian teen Magno labelled 'the next Neymar'

Liverpool have targeted Talles Magno for their next generation of stars, as they adjust to a new Premier League financial reality.

Magno is just 17, but has already played almost a full season for his Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in the country’s top level Serie A, and is a regular with the U17 national side.

The tall forward is regarded as one of the most exciting emerging talents in Brazil, and can play a role similar to that of Roberto Firmino at Anfield.

Crucially, Vasco are facing serious financial trouble, with the Rio de Janeiro club forced to raise funds to meet debts which have mounted in the recent years.

They sold one of the most highly rated young players, Paulinho, to Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 for £17m because of their crisis, and the club have admitted they will now need to sell again to stay afloat.

And that could mean a cut-price deal for a talent the club have watched since he arrived on the international scene with the Brazil U15 side.

So far, Benfica have offered a fee of around £2.5m for the versatile forward who can also play out wide, and while that has been rejected, it reflects the financial position of the club, and the fear about transfer fees amongst European clubs.

Liverpool themselves, will have to adjust, with virtually every single one of their top stars - and all of their young talent - signed on long-term contracts to either 2023 or 2024, which translates into the third highest wage bill in the Premier League.

But with the certainty income will be hit with the loss of match-day revenue, as games go behind closed doors to complete the season, all top flight clubs are now faced with big losses over the next year.

Most of the Premier League sides are facing up to the fact of playing without crowds well into next year - and if that happens, then even an estimate would suggest Liverpool would lose around £120m during that period - even before TV companies negotiate smaller deals because of the lack of fans at stadiums.

And that will persuade the likes of Liverpool to cut their cloth in the transfer market, targeting players like Talles who will cost a low initial down-payment, with add-ons over the coming seasons should be break into the first team.

The Brazil forward has scored five goals in 10 games for his U17 national side, and has played for all his country’s youth levels, which means he would qualify for a work permit.

Liverpool have also watched Belgium U19 midfielder Aster Vranckx on several occasions, and he too could be available at a reasonable price from his club Mechelen, who accept the highly-rated young star could leave this summer.

Talles has been described as the ‘next Neymar’ in some of the more excitable corners of the Brazilian media, but he has a real talent and a work rate which could appeal to Jurgen Klopp.