Liverpool transfers: Fabrizio Romano reveals Al-Nassr deal for Brazil's Bento

Al-Nassr have agreed to sign Brazil international goalkeeper Bento from Athletico Paranaense for a fee of €18 million, effectively ending their pursuit of Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker. 

Alisson, 31, was earmarked as the Saudi Pro League giants’ first choice signing this summer with the PIF-operated side having a clear priority to sign a world-class goalkeeper. 

Talks were held with Alisson’s representatives in order to ascertain his interest in a move to the SPL, but owing to a worry that he would lose his spot as Brazil’s starting goalkeeper Alisson declined the chance to avail of a ‘jaw-dropping’ offer from Cristiano Ronaldo’s team. 

Negotiations with Alisson were taking place in parallel to discussions with international teammate and Manchester City starter Ederson, who was reported to have agreed personal terms ahead of a summer switch. 

Al-Nassr were reported to have been unhappy with City’s €50m asking price and were prepared to move onto other plans as soon as thisweek if Pep Guardiola’s team failed to reduce it. 

Now it seems that City were sticking to their guns with Al-Nassr moving down their list of targets to land a goalkeeper. 

Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid and Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid were named by a report last week as being of interest to Al-Nassr, alongside the name of Bento. 

The 25-year-old was a target for Inter Milan earlier this summer but the cash-strapped Italian league champions were unwilling to meet the asking price set by Athletico. 

It left Liverpool, Benfica, Sporting CP and two more unnamed Premier League teams in the race for Bento, who has acted as understudy to Alisson in the Brazil reckoning in recent seasons. 

However, Al-Nassr have now jumped in front of potential European interest according to noted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, meaning it’s highly unlikely that Liverpool will receive an approach from them for Alisson. 

However, there could still be Saudi interest this summer with Al-Ittihad also looking for a high-profile name between the sticks.

Bento has been Athletico’s No.1 since 2022 and was part of the squad which won the Copa Sudamericana in 2021. He has got two caps for Brazil, featuring in their Copa America 2024 squad as a backup to Alisson.