Sporting Lisbon won’t sell young left-back Nuno Mendes for anything less than his €45m (£41m) release clause, according to reports in the Portuguese media.

Liverpool were originally linked with the 18-year-old back in May but it is believed the Reds are continuing to scout the defender, along with the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan.

Mendes only began to start regularly for Sporting following the restart back in June and he is also expected to feature prominently at the start of this campaign when the Portuguese season kicks off this weekend.

Considering Liverpool only signed a new left-back, in Kostas Tsimikas, this summer, it is more than likely that Mendes is being looked at as a long-term target when the time comes to replace Andy Robertson.

The Scotland captain is still only 26 years of age, and after providing an assist against Leeds in the 4-3 win at the weekend, he remains very much at the top of his game.