Liverpool are interested in Lille midfielder Renato Sanches but they are unlikely to make a move for the Portuguese international before the closing weeks of the summer transfer window, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The reliable Italian journalist claims that the Reds’ focus is on strengthening the forward line, with the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane expected to be absent for the African Cup of Nations in January:

“It is not yet at an advanced stage. Because, what I have been told, the strategy for Liverpool now is not going immediately for a midfielder. Their [Liverpool’s] priority is to now go for some wingers. This season, they are going to lose, for some weeks, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane because of the Africa Cup of Nations. So, they are looking for some potential wingers and then, moving [towards] the end of the [transfer window] market, maybe some opportunity will arrive for a midfielder.”

Romano doesn’t completely rule out a move for Sanches at some point in the next couple of months but the delay in pursuing the 23-year-old may well hand the advantage to other potential suitors.

Arsenal are one of the teams who are said to be keen on securing the midfielder’s signature, and it appears that they could have a clear run to snap him up, unless Liverpool manage to get a deal over the line for a winger relatively quickly.