Javier Manquillo will have his medical later today and all being good will finalise a long loan deal with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid say the Telegraph. The twenty-year-old right back would provide additional strength in a position that Rodgers has been looking to shore up to cope with the additional games of the Champions League.
Born in Madrid, the Spanish defender has had few opportunities to play at Atletico Madrid and instead played the majority of his games with Atletico B. Javi Manquillo started playing as a youth for Real Madrid but was released to Atletico and has stayed with the club through to senior level in 2012.
According to the Telegraph Manquillo is one of two full-backs that Rodgers wants and negotiations are ongoing to sign 21-year-old Alberto Moreno from Sevilla and are close to finalising a price. The report goes on to state that there are doubts over Liverpool’s senior players such as Glenn Johnson and Jose Enrique with Johnson entering the final year of his present contract and with an impasse of fresh terms.
Liverpool have stated from the outset that they would not value him at the same level as his previous deal but would welcome fresh talks. There have also been some issues over image-rights of the England full-back and he has been linked with several clubs abroad. The additional strength in defence should also provide more competition which can only be a good thing as Rodgers prepares his squad for the tactical challenges of the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool continue with their pre-season tour of the United States who will host an eagerly anticipated match as last seasons runner-up face Manchester City this evening in the International Champions Cup.
Source: DSG
