Outside of Portugal, little is known about the defender, but he’s certainly been making a name for himself in the last six months.
A host of sides across Europe have been linked as potential suitors – Liverpool, Tottenham, and AS Monaco most notably, but who is the player they are talking about?
Tiago Ilori, 20, currently plays for Primeira Liga side Sporting Club de Portugal (Sporting CP). He’s a product of the youth team, and originally joined the club as a 13-year old prodigy.
Rated at around £6M, he’s been tipped by his teammates for a big future. Scouts have been seen in games last season reportedly checking out the 20-year old, and many feel he could be on his way to one of the European giants this summer.
He featured in the U20 World Cup for Portugal at the end of the domestic season – making three appearances. As he’s never made an appearances for the Portuguese national team, he’s still eligible to play for England.
While spending time with Sporting’s B team, Ilori has also played first-team football for the side. He’s made 11 Primeira Liga (top division) appearances, and 20 Segunda Liga (second division) appearances.
For just £6M, Ilori could be bargain of the decade if he does indeed live up to his potential. Sources close to the player are suggesting the 20-year old would welcome a move to his native England, and Sporting have said they will entertain offers ‘for the right price’.
Tottenham Hotspur are desperate for defensive reinforcements after losing a number of personnel to injury in pre-season. After selling their would-be-cover Steven Caulker to Cardiff, they are very thin on replacements.
Liverpool have also been in the market for a defender since long-serving Jamie Carragher retired. They are said to favour Ilori because they currently have three players as options, but are looking to the future as their third choice, Kolo Toure, is 32 years old.
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