Liverpool get pathway to complete deal for versatile Brazil defender

Liverpool deal for Wesley Franca is back on

There remains the possibility that Liverpool move back in for a formerly named target in the shape of Wesley Franca of Roma.

Wesley, 22, was heavily linked with Liverpool before leaving Flamengo for the Italian capital last year. The Brazil international has grown in stature for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side this season - playing both left and right-sided wing-back roles.

He’s chipped in with five goals in Serie A and looks destined to move on to bigger and better things very soon.

Roma are owned by the Friedkin Group - who also own Everton - and a report in TEAMtalk claims the plan was to send Wesley to the blue half of Merseyside.

Wesley will go to Liverpool, not Everton

But a complicating factor in that deal is the Toffees’ impending failure to qualify for Europe. It will be difficult to convince Wesley to move to a mid-table club with no European football and that opens the door to other Premier League suitors.

Liverpool are among that number - as the champions “appreciate the Brazilian’s profile and versatility,” according to the report. But the Reds will have to watch out for Arsenal’s interest in Wesley as well as Newcastle.

Richard Hughes therefore has a pathway to sign a player originally earmarked as Trent’s replacement a year ago. Wesley has proven he’s got what it takes to step up to European football’s demands and could be set for a big move this off-season.