Liverpool are set to be beaten to Junior Firpo by Barcelona as the La Liga champions will offer Juan Miranda to Real Betis to lower the asking price, Marca reports.
Alberto Moreno was released by Liverpool in July upon the expiry of his contract and has since joined Villarreal as he looks to get back to playing regular football.
Jurgen Klopp now only has one left-back in Andy Robertson and after the Scotsman underwent surgery on an infection in his wrist, it’s clear that another left-back is needed this summer.
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According to Marca, Barcelona are “extremely interested” in signing Firpo as they look to find the heir to the ageing Jordi Alba and are willing to offer a player to Real Betis to lower the Spanish U21 European Champion’s value.
Firpo’s contract includes a €50million (£45.2m) release clause and in a bid to reduce Betis’ asking price, Barcelona are willing to offer Marc Cururella or Juan Miranda.
Liverpool need to either pay his full release clause or make a similar player plus cash deal to beat Barcelona to Firpo, who is the ideal fullback to play second fiddle to Robertson.
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He has exceptional pace, pinpoint delivery but most importantly makes clever decisions in defence that make him one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.
Intelligent players that can think for themselves are a commodity and Klopp would be signing on of the continent’s future stars by recruiting Firpo from Betis this summer.
There are yet to be any reports in England that the German is weighing up a bid and the longer the window drags on the likelier it is that Liverpool won’t reinforce at left-back.
