Liverpool are reportedly showing interest in Espanyol defender Marc Navarro after the player has made the senior grade in La Liga under Quique Sanchez Flores
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo have reported that Liverpool are plotting a summer swoop for Espanyol right-back Marc Navarro. The marauding wide defender has broken through into the Espanyol first-team under Quique Sanchez Flores and his performances seems to have caught a lot of attention, including the Reds.
Marc Navarro is a 21-year-old Spanish youngster who has made 4 La Liga appearances for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side, with 2 goals and an assist to his name. The Spaniard is a local Barcelona man and is one of the rare local academy graduates in Espanyol’s side.
Liverpool do have Nathaniel Clyne to fill their right-back position, but are short of cover in the area. Marc Navarro is young but it is the nature of his performances and skill-set that is drawing praises. Not only is he a right-back who likes to contribute much in attack, but also is tall and strong enough to be a presence at the back as well.
His aerial strength is also a noteworthy attribute and something that will surely be of interest to Jurgen Klopp, especially with the current Liverpool side lacking a lot of players that are strong in air.
Marc Navarro, Aaron Martín y Oscar Melendo, renovados y tratados como cracks. #planterRCDE @ESPORTSCOPE pic.twitter.com/Pv5nT2KikC
— Quique Iglesias (@qiglesias) February 2, 2017
Liverpool already have several exciting youngsters within their ranks like Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is also an option for Klopp at the right side of the defence, and have been linked with more, in the form of Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Brereton and others. And Navarro is the latest to be linked with them.
The 21-year-old has recently signed a new deal, one that sees him extend his contract up to 2021. But the contract is reported to have a €25 million release clause inserted in it.
Liverpool have spent a similar or greater amount to land Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane respectively, and could be prepared to activate the buyout clause if Klopp marks the player as a necessary addition to the squad at Anfield.
Liverpool’s defensive shortcomings this season are well documented and Klopp would be determined to remedy it for the 2017-18 campaign. While Navarro alone cannot provide a solution to the problem, the addition of such a youthful and well-rounded right-back will surely go a long way into solving the defensive riddle.
