Liverpool have reportedly turned their attention to AC Milan full-back Mattia De Sciglio as the solution to their defensive crisis.
Italian publication Gazzetta Di Parma have claimed that Premier League club Liverpool have set their sights on AC Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio. The report claims that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would ‘love’ to sign the Italian international after an impressive Euro 2016 with the Azzurri. The Gazzetta adds that AC Milan have put a price tag of £16m on the 23-year-old.
Liverpool have been short at the back after the confirmed departure of Australian right-back Brad Smith to Bournemouth which compelled Jurgen Klopp to play James Milner at the right-back position in the pre-season friendly against fellow Premier League club, Chelsea. The Reds were linked to PSV defender Jetro Williams and Lyon youngster Jordy Gaspar but De Sciglio may seemingly be a better option.
Mattia De Sciglio has the edge over the others with his years of experience at a historic club like AC Milan and his tryst with European and international football. The 23-year-old has been with AC Milan since the age of 10 and was hailed as the next Paolo Maldini after breaking onto the first-team scene for the Rossoneri. The defender has since fallen behind in the pecking order at the San Siro and has found it tough to regain his status as a regular starter for the club.
The Italian has been rumoured to be on the way out after being restricted to just 55 league appearances over the last three seasons and being, in general, unimpressive whenever called upon (stats via whoscored). However De Sciglio’s performances in the Euro 2016 under Antonio Conte seem to have turned a new leaf for the defender with top European clubs circling around the San Siro for the right-back. Bayern Munich were rumoured to be keeping tabs on the defender with Serie A champions Juventus looking to reunite the defender with current manager Allegri, who gave the 23-year-old his break at AC Milan.
Barcelona had been on the lookout for a right-back after losing Dani Alves and were reportedly interested in Mattia De Sciglio but the Blaugranes have since gone on to sign Lucas Digne from PSG, ending speculation about De Sciglio. Real Madrid had also joined the race to rival Barcelona for the AC Milan youth product after releasing Alvaro Arbeloa and being unimpressed by Brazilian international Danilo but the news has since taken a back-seat.
Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with the Rossoneri right-back with manager Jurgen Klopp eager to add depth to the squad at the right-back position. Mattia De Sciglio is reportedly available at a reasonable price of and with the defender being equally adept at playing at both sides of the defence, it would provide the German with much needed steel at the wide defensive areas. Liverpool are falling short at the right-back position and with AC Milan ready to negotiate a deal, a move could well develop in the coming days to bring Mattia De Sciglio to Anfield.
