Conor Bradley facing IMMEDIATE threat in plan to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have got a new right-back in their sights. It’s Wesley Franca, a 21-year-old Brazilian at Flamengo who is reportedly on the verge of a first call-up to the national team.

Selecao boss Dorival Junior likes what he sees from the agile youngster, who has become a mainstay for Flamengo since breaking into the first-team picture in 2023.

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Wesley helped his side to the Copa do Brasil last season and also played his part in qualifying for the Copa Libertadores - South America’s premier club competition.

The homegrown prospect has been on the radar of several European teams for quite a while. Atalanta are reported to have had an attempt to sign Wesley knocked back last summer while Zenit failed with a €25 million bid in January.

Premier League sides including Bournemouth and Aston Villa are also reported to have attempted to acquire his services according to UOL. Barcelona have plans to bring him to Camp Nou and Manchester United are also reported to be keen.

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But it’s the Reds who have been paying closest attention with the club reported by the same source to have made informal approaches to Flamengo.

Liverpool watching Wesley

It is expected they will fight for his signature following the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, where Wesley will be starring for his side.

He will also be on the international map by then with matches for Brazil slated for the March international break against Luis Diaz's Colombia and Alexis Mac Allister's Argentina.

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Wesley’s emergence coincides with what appears to be an inevitable departure for Liverpool’s current first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

At 26, his contract expires at the end of the season and with no resolution in sight he could be set for a high-profile free transfer to Real Madrid.

Liverpool do have a young and potentially elite replacement for Alexander-Arnold lined up in the shape of Conor Bradley and the signing of Wesley would certainly provide stiff competition.

Although the 21-year-old has proven to be a capable deputy when Trent’s been absent, it hasn’t stopped links to other right-backs.

While Arne Slot clearly likes the Northern Ireland international, it appears his position in the team is not going to be handed out as a matter of fact.

Bradley facing right-back rival

He will have to fight for the spot in the team, potentially against Wesley. Bradley is capable offensively as well as defensively which Wesley’s profile is described as more attacking.

Slot is asking for less of that from his full-backs these days so perhaps that balance is one element that will go in Bradley’s favour.

However he has been less than completely dependable from an injury perspective and is already on his second significant absence of the season.

He is going to have to prove to be a lot more reliable from that standpoint if he is to have a career at the top level like Trent. And so the competition might end up doing him good, permitting rest when he is getting close to the infamous “red zone”.

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But the links with Wesley serve as a reminder that his future status in the team won’t be given as a certainty. Wesley is contracted until 2028 with Flamengo and is expected to sell for €30m or over. Conor, you have been warned.

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