If reports in today’s media are to be believed, — and we all know that’s not always the case — Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre has travelled to Spain with Liverpool set to complete wrap up deals for long-term target Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo.
The summer long chase for Moreno looks to be coming to a close following back-up target Ryan Bertrand’s loan to Southampton and Ben Davies move to White Hart Lane. The 22-year old has been the subject of a number of bids from the Anfield outfit, though the two sides apparently remain disconnected on their respective valuations of the player. While a number of media outlets are reporting that the Reds will have to pay around £16?mil to finally prize him away from Sevilla, the more savvy readers out there will remember that’s the original fee that we were rumoured to have bid — which, of course, was summarily rejected by the Andalusian side.
Whether or not the Spaniards have blinked first remains to be seen, but it was only a fee weeks ago that they were looking for a figure close to, or in excess of, £20mil for the promising defender. If the win over Manchester City highlighted anything, it’s the dire situation that Liverpool find themselves in on the flanks as they were routinely exploited on both sides of the pitch from wide positions. With Moreno sorting out the left, Atletico Madrid fullback Javier Manquillo has been earmarked for the right with a season long loan for the youngster rumoured to be the order of the day.
The 20-year old found chances few and far between for last season’s La Liga champions, and though he’s not expected to a be a ready made replacement for the ailing Glen Johnson, a solid year of experience playing in England could see him re-ignite his career at Anfield. An option to buy at the end of the season appears to be attached to the loan conditions though a fee has yet to be set — or, reported. Or made up. Whichever you believe…
