Liverpool have scouted Brazilian defender 'a number of times'

Liverpool are keeping tabs on rising Brazilian centre back Lucas Beraldo, according to a report.

The 19-year-old Sao Paulo star has been one of the standout players in Brazil of late, despite his young age, and was key in his club's recent Copa do Brasil success.

90min report that Liverpool are keeping an 'increasingly close eye on' the youngster's development, with the Reds' scouting department watching Beraldo 'a number of times' in recent months.

The Reds are not the only team chasing the defender, however. It is said that Premier League rivals Wolves saw a summer bid for Beraldo rejected by Sao Paulo, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Marseille and Monaco are also interested in the player whose current deal runs until 2026.

90min also add that Sao Paulo hope to extend their star defender's contract even further in a bid to strengthen their hand in negotiations over his inevitable sale.

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool have made strengthening the defence a priority in 2024, having completed their much-discussed midfield rebuild this summer.

A left-sided centre back has been on the agenda for some time, while Joel Matip's contract is set to expire next summer and his future remains up in the air, furthering the need for reinforcement.

In addition, Ibrahima Konate has suffered regular injury issues since his 2021 arrival and club captain Virgil van Dijk will be 33 next summer.

Anfield Watch has previously reported on Liverpool's interest in Piero Hincapie (Leverkusen) and Yukinari Sugawara (AZ).