Sporting Braga president Antonio Salvador has confirmed that Liverpool were on the verge of signing centre-back David Carmo during the January transfer window.

Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano had reported on the Reds’ interest in the player, who has been described as the new Virgil van Dijk, and Salvador says the 21-year-old could well have been playing at Anfield if the plug hadn’t been pulled on the deal:

“In January, David Carmo had a foot and a half in Liverpool, but we ended up staying with him. He is a player who, despite being injured at this moment, continues to have several suitors, including in Spain.”

Salvador doesn’t explain why Carmo’s move to Liverpool didn’t materialise. It could well be the case that the Merseyside club felt it was too much of a risk, with Ozan Kabak a safer bet considering they could sign him on an initial loan deal.

It was probably fortunate considering, as Salvador mentions, Carmo has been out since February with a broken ankle. It would have typified the Reds’ season if they had signed another centre-back, only for him to be injured as well.

What the future holds for Carmo now, though, it remains to be seen. Salvador claims a number of Spanish clubs are after him, while reports in England have also linked him with Manchester United and Leicester.