Sporting CP are playing hardball with Liverpool over their interest for Gelson Martins.

The Daily Mail says the Reds have been in negotiations with Roma about Mohamed Salah, but fear being priced out of a move for the Egypt international, and Martins is seen as a potential option.

It has been claimed in Portugal that Martins has a buy-out clause of £52 million, but that Sporting's failure to qualify for the Champions League means they would take £43.5m.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is known to want to add more pace to his side for next term. It is understood the club have also been monitoring Keita Balde at Lazio and Bayern Munich's Douglas Costa in addition to Salah and Martins.