Transfer-mad Liverpool look to cover another base with PSG man
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Last summer’s frenetic business is starting to pale against Liverpool’s renewed thirst for signings 12 months on and the Reds may not be calling it a day at Christian Benteke.
The Belgian’s £32.5m move from Aston Villa took the number of brand-new Reds to seven, excluding Divock Origi’s deferred arrival, but the Daily Mail suggests the nets are not yet being reeled in.
The paper report that Brendan Rodgers has identified Paris Saint-Germain left-back Lucas Digne as a viable option to cover a perceived area of weakness in his swelling squad.
Although Alberto Moreno was brought in last summer as first-choice left-back, the Spaniard found it tough going adapting to the Premier League and would benefit from competition for his place.
That should have been provided by Jose Enrique last term, though ongoing fitness issues saw him sidelined for the majority of the campaign.
Now Liverpool are awaiting offers on Moreno’s compatriot after Enrique was left out of the club’s pre-season tour.
Digne, 22, has been capped eight times by France, but has grown increasingly frustrated by a lack of opportunities as understudy to Brazilian defender Maxwell at the Parc des Princes.
Some sources indicate Digne has actively sought Laurent Blanc’s permission for a transfer away from PSG which could be a useful bargaining tool if Rodgers firms up his interest.
In the meantime, young centre-half Joe Gomez has been trialled at left-back on the club’s pre-season tour with Moreno out of action through injury.
Rodgers has been quick to praise his acquisition’s composure in a new position, though his lack of experience at full-back might be seen as a gamble too far with a huge campaign for the club on the cards.
A top-four finish – rated at 2/1 – seems like a minimum requirement if Rodgers is to stay in the job beyond the end of 2015/16.
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