Liverpool have made an official enquiry for Palmeiras teenager Erick Bele, with the Brazilian club indicating that negotiations could begin at as little as £25m. The Reds have been scouting the 19-year-old attacking midfielder for some time, and Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be tracking the youngster.
Bele has impressed in Brazil's Under-20s set-up and is looking to make the step up to senior football. According to Sport Witness, that could happen under the tutelage of Andoni Iraola at Anfield. While no formal offer has been made yet, Liverpool have been in touch with Palmeiras about the player.
Palmeiras set price despite new contract
Parma attempted to secure Bele on loan this summer with an option to make the move permanent. However, Palmeiras responded by tying the talent down to a new contract that should keep him at the club until 2031. Interestingly, their asking price for the youngster has not changed despite his new deal, meaning Liverpool could secure a highly-touted future star on the cheap should they choose to pursue him when the winter window opens at the turn of the year.
Having spent seven years in the Palmeiras youth system, Bele signed his first professional deal with the club in 2025. He has since gone on to make two appearances for the first team, but continues to be a force in the youth set-up. This season alone, Bele has scored four goals in eight CBF Brasileiro Under-20 appearances, also managing a goal and two assists in the Under-20 Libertadores. He also has a further goal to his name from two outings in the Copa do Brasil.
Reds may prioritise contract renewals
Rather than bringing in fresh faces in the winter window, Liverpool could instead opt to secure the futures of a number of stars already on the books. Alisson Becker is out of contract next summer and is insistent on securing a new deal at Anfield. The Brazilian has revealed that his agent is in talks with the top brass of Liverpool over a contract extension. With Giorgi Mamardashvili and Lucca Brughmans coming as the next generation in between the sticks, it is unknown whether the Reds will afford Alisson, 34, more time on Merseyside.
Ronald Araujo, meanwhile, is also only on loan from Barcelona for the season. While the Reds have a £47m option to buy the Uruguayan in January or next summer, that could depend on whether Barcelona are ultimately able to facilitate his departure.
Virgil van Dijk is also out of contract in less than a year's time, meaning Liverpool could look to prioritise bolstering their back-line before making further additions in attack. At 35, the Reds would also be wise to look for a long-term successor to their current club captain regardless of whether he stays or goes next summer, considering he is well into the twilight years of his career.
