Liverpool Eye £84m Porto Winger William Gomes in Transfer Boost

Liverpool place Porto's William Gomes on shortlist for right-wing role

Liverpool remain keen on signing FC Porto forward William Gomes, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola. The 20-year-old Brazilian has an £84m release clause after extending his contract until 2031, and the Reds view him as a solution to their problem right-wing position.

Player: William Gomes, 20, Brazilian attacker
Current club: FC Porto (signed permanently in January from São Paulo)
Release clause: £84m (rose from £67m after contract extension)
Contract: Extended until 2031
Liverpool need: A natural right winger following Mohamed Salah's departure
Source: A Bola (Portuguese outlet)

Deal details

According to A Bola, Liverpool have placed Gomes among their shortlist of potential targets for their attack. The report claims the Reds are looking to sign a new right winger, with the 20-year-old now on their radar ahead of a potential move.

Gomes only recently extended his contract with Porto until 2031, and his release clause has risen from £67m to £84m as a result. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be willing to trigger that valuation heading into the 2027 transfer window.

Porto signed Gomes on a permanent deal in January after he emerged as one of São Paulo's most promising academy prospects. His performances since arriving in Portugal have dispelled concerns about his limited experience, and he has become a first-team regular.

The numbers

67 appearances for Porto since arriving
20 goals contributed in that time
In the second half of last season, he started only nine Primeira Liga games out of 28 but scored eight goals and registered one assist
Averaged a goal every 146 minutes
Ended the campaign with 15 goal involvements across all competitions
In the ongoing campaign, he has played all eight games, scoring twice and providing two assists
Porto sit first in the Primeira Liga under Francesco Farioli, unbeaten

Why Liverpool want a natural right winger

Following the departure of Mohamed Salah in the summer, Liverpool brought in Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz to bolster their frontline. However, both attackers are more accustomed to playing on the left. That imbalance has contributed to a stuttering start in front of goal.

Liverpool have only netted seven goals in the opening five Premier League games of the season. Barcola is yet to open his account for the club, while Munoz's strike against Nottingham Forest remains his only goal for the club before the international break.

Adding Gomes would not only improve the club's output but also hand manager Andoni Iraola a natural right winger who can make an immediate impact while offering significant potential for the future. The 20-year-old's ability to contribute goals from wide areas is precisely what Liverpool have lacked since Salah's exit.

Analysis: Gomes fits the profile but £84m is a serious gamble

William Gomes is exactly the type of player Liverpool should be targeting: young, productive, and a specialist in a position of need. His record of 20 goals in 67 appearances for Porto is impressive for a winger, and his 15 goal involvements across all competitions last season show he can deliver even when not starting every game. The fact he has started all eight of Porto's league games this season under Francesco Farioli suggests he is now a fundamental part of an unbeaten side sitting top of the Primeira Liga.

However, the £84m release clause is a significant outlay for a player who only turned 20 recently and has limited experience at the highest level. Liverpool's need is urgent: seven goals in five Premier League games is a poor return, and with Barcola and Munoz both favouring the left, Iraola's attack is unbalanced. Gomes would provide natural width on the right, allowing the left-sided players to operate in their preferred roles.

The key question is whether Liverpool's recruitment team believes Gomes is worth the outlay or whether they will look for a cheaper alternative. The 2027 transfer window is still some way off, and much can change. But if Gomes continues his current trajectory, Porto may find it increasingly difficult to keep him, even with a contract until 2031. For Liverpool, triggering the clause would represent a statement of intent but also a risk on a player with only 67 senior appearances to his name.

Talking points

Is £84m too much for a 20-year-old with 67 senior appearances? Liverpool paid similar for potential before, but the risk is real.
Should Liverpool prioritise a proven goalscorer over a right winger, given they have only scored seven in five league games?
Gomes has started all eight league games this season but only nine Primeira Liga games last term – is he ready for the Premier League?
If Liverpool do not act, which other clubs might trigger the release clause first?

What happens next

Liverpool's next opportunity to sign Gomes would be the 2027 transfer window, unless they move earlier. The Reds will continue to monitor his progress at Porto, where he is a key part of Francesco Farioli's unbeaten league leaders. Any decision on triggering the £84m release clause will likely depend on Liverpool's attacking output in the coming months and whether Barcola or Munoz can fill the right-wing void. Porto, meanwhile, have no immediate need to sell given Gomes' contract until 2031.

Frequently asked questions

Who is William Gomes and which club does he play for?

William Gomes is a 20-year-old Brazilian forward who plays for FC Porto. He signed permanently from São Paulo in January and has scored 20 goals in 67 appearances.

What is William Gomes's release clause?

His release clause is £84m, having risen from £67m after he extended his contract with Porto until 2031.

Why do Liverpool want to sign William Gomes?

Liverpool are looking for a natural right winger after Mohamed Salah's departure. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz both prefer playing on the left, so Gomes is on their shortlist.