Liverpool closing in on loan deal for Barcelona winger Tello
Published:Liverpool are set to make Barcelona winger Cristian Tello their first signing of the January transfer window, according to reports emerging from Spain.
The Reds, who are now 10/1 to win the Premier League after back-to-back defeats to title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, have been long-term admirers of the 22-year-old and made strong advances to sign him last summer.
But now Brendan Rodgers appears to have landed his man on a loan deal until the end of the season with a view to making the move permanent next summer.
With Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen, Mamadou Sakho and Jose Enrique all currently sidelined through injury, Liverpool are actively looking for reinforcements in the winter transfer window.
And while Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is high on Rodgers’ list of targets, bringing Tello to Anfield would be a real coup for the Northern Irishman.
The Spanish international can play on both wings and his direct style of football would bring a new dimension to Liverpool’s attacking play.
Tello has hit 10 goals in 47 appearances for Barca but this season he has seen his first-team opportunities limited under new manager Gerardo Martino.
Despite rejecting the advances of the Merseyside club last summer to sign a new four-year contract at the Nou Camp, the forward has only made two starts this season and Barca are ready to let him leave in order to get more playing time.
Liverpool, who currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League, are in pole position to land the former Espanyol youngster and his possible arrival at Anfield will boost the club’s chances of Champions League qualification.
Rodgers’ side are currently 8/11 to finish in the top four, but with Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle all still in the hunt for European qualification, Tello could be the man to see Liverpool over the finish line.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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