Liverpool are reportedly keen on highly-rated AS Roma left-back Luca Pellegrini, despite being rejected two years ago
According to a Tribal Football exclusive, Liverpool retain interest in AS Roma wonderkid Luca Pellegrini and are keeping a close eye on the youngster’s progress. The left-back is being monitored by the Reds closely as theyl look to bolster their options on the left side of defence.
Luca Pellegrini already rejected Liverpool two years ago, when the Reds had come in with an enticing offer. The Premier League outfit had offered a lucrative contract to Luca to get him to leave the AS Roma youth setup in favour of the setup at Melwood.
The 18-year-old has come up through the ranks at AS Roma since joining the club in 2013 and is currently a part of the club’s Under-19 team. Luca is contracted to AS Roma till the end of the 2017-18 campaign, which is likely to pique Liverpool’s interest in the player.
The pursuit of the player, though, might run into troubled waters, with the youngster being represented by super agent Mino Raiola, who had earlier criticised Liverpool’s treatment of Mario Balotelli, one of the many players under Raiola’s agency.
Balotelli was never able to establish himself at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp’s arrival saw the Italian being shunned from the first-team setup entirely before he was allowed to leave for OGC Nice. Raiola criticised the club’s way of handling his client, which could see some trouble brewing in any potential negotiations in the future.
Liverpool have reinforced on the left side of defence, with Andrew Robertson brought in from Hull. But, the Reds would ideally like to add to their options at the said position. Robertson aside, the club has just Alberto Moreno as a pure left-back option.
First of all, the club would be eager to see how Luca is able to recover from his cruciate ligament rupture – a long-term injury which has sidelined the 18-year-old till the turn of the year, at the very least. It will be interesting to see if he remains the same and is able to show a similar vein of form, given the nature of the injury.
According to the Bosman agency rules, Luca is free to negotiate with Liverpool come January and onwards, a prospect which will trouble AS Roma. While Luca will be focused on the path to recovery, Liverpool will be hoping the second attempt brings them some more luck. Here’s to hoping.