Sporting CP fullback Nuno Mendes has been unsettled by interest from Liverpool.

Mendes has delayed signing a new contract at the club amid interest from Liverpool.

A Bola says he does not want to deter them by increasing his release clause, which already stands at £40m, in a new deal.

They claim that Liverpool would 'back out' of signing him if the release clause is made higher.

Mendes already has a long-term contract with the Portuguese side, who have produced an array of talent over the years, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

He is among the latest crop of talented youngsters to make the grade at first-team level and his current deal runs until 2025.