Selton Sanchez: Liverpool’s Golden Chance to Secure a Future Star from Athletic Bilbao
Liverpool’s pursuit of the next generation of attacking brilliance could lead them to northern Spain, where an 18-year-old prodigy named Selton Sanchez is emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting young footballers. Currently at Athletic Bilbao, the Brazilian-born Spaniard is already drawing comparisons to a club legend who once defined Liverpool’s modern era — and with good reason.
Selton Sanchez Shining in Spain
Still in his teenage years, Sanchez has already made an impression on two fronts — in La Liga and the UEFA Youth League. Having captained Bilbao’s U19 side, he produced a dazzling display in a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, scoring once and registering two assists. His combination of vision, movement, and unpredictability made him the standout performer in that fixture, with scouts across Europe quickly taking notice.
His first-team debut in La Liga was no less remarkable. Introduced late against Newcastle United in the Champions League, Sanchez managed to display his trademark flair with a no-look pass that immediately drew comparisons to the playing style of his famous relative — former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.
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Bloodline of Brilliance
The family connection is more than just trivia. Sanchez is Firmino’s cousin, and the resemblance in both movement and mentality is striking. Like Firmino, the young attacker thrives on creativity and selflessness. He drifts between midfield and attack, linking play with deft touches and spatial intelligence far beyond his years.
Those who have seen him at Lezama, Athletic Bilbao’s renowned academy, describe Sanchez as a hybrid of a classic playmaker and a modern false nine — capable of dictating tempo one moment and bursting into the box the next. His style embodies the kind of fluid attacking football that Arne Slot is keen to develop at Liverpool.
Potential Fit for Slot’s System
Under Slot, Liverpool have placed a renewed emphasis on fluid attacking rotations and intelligent pressing. Players capable of interpreting multiple roles across the front line are at a premium, and Sanchez fits that profile perfectly.
At just 18, he already demonstrates the tactical versatility that has become essential at Anfield. His ability to press intelligently, find space between the lines, and create chances from tight areas would make him an ideal understudy in a team built around creative movement and quick interchanges.
It is not difficult to imagine Sanchez developing under Slot’s guidance in the same way that Firmino flourished under Jürgen Klopp. The potential for a similar trajectory — from talented playmaker to elite-level forward — is what makes this prospect so intriguing for Liverpool’s recruitment team.
Affordable Opportunity and Recruitment Logic
Reports in Spain suggest that Sanchez’s current contract includes a release clause of just €30 million (around £26.5 million). For a player of his age and pedigree, that figure represents outstanding value in the modern market.
Michael Edwards, now back at the helm of Liverpool’s football operations, is well known for identifying undervalued assets before their price inflates. Firmino was one of his early success stories, signed from Hoffenheim for around £29 million in 2015 — a move that proved transformative. With Sanchez’s similar profile, age, and connection to the Anfield icon, the temptation to act early will be hard to resist.
The Anfield hierarchy are believed to be closely monitoring Sanchez’s progress in Spain, and any hint of further first-team involvement at Bilbao could accelerate their interest. With his release clause set and his potential evident, this is precisely the sort of calculated investment Liverpool have built their reputation on.
If they move swiftly, Liverpool could secure one of Europe’s most naturally gifted young playmakers before his value soars — and in doing so, perhaps rekindle a touch of Firmino’s magic on Merseyside.
