Liverpool have so far failed to fully nail down a new starting right-back following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer exit.
The Real Madrid star was a shoo-in across almost a decade with the Reds and has proven difficult to replace for Arne Slot.
Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong as a nominal successor to Alexander-Arnold, but the Dutchman has run into a series of injury problems during his first months at the club.
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Question marks also remain over Frimpong’s suitability for the role, while fitness and form issues have led to uncertainty around Conor Bradley’s chances of being Liverpool’s regular right-back.
As a result, many supporters would like to see the Reds dip into the transfer market once again. And according to reports from Italy, they already have a name in mind.
Liverpool ready to try again for Marco Palestra
Given how little has been seen of Frimpong since his arrival, it is slightly difficult to judge exactly whether Liverpool need to sign another new right-back.
However, the feeling is that Liverpool could have probably done with looking at a more orthodox player for the position last summer.
As per Italian outlet Calciomercato, Liverpool did actually attempt to do this in making an offer for Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.
They claim the Reds made a £17.5m bid to sign Palestra before the season started. Keen to send the 20-year-old out on-loan instead, Atalanta rejected the offer.
The attempt to buy Palestra – who ultimately joined Cagliari on a temporary basis – was said to have been part of a wider initiative from Liverpool to scout promising young Italian players, one which led to the signing of Giovanni Leoni.
Despite being knocked back, the Reds are reportedly still interested in Palestra, but have now been joined by ‘almost all of Europe’s top clubs’ as the youngster impresses with Cagliari.
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Fabrizio Romano weighs in on Marco Palestra’s future
Palestra has been one of the breakout stars of the Serie A season, excelling as a wing-back in Cagliari’s five-man back line.
Inevitably, his performances have attracted interest from big guns such as Inter and Juventus, with journalist Fabrizio Romano provided an update on the ‘revelation’ of Serie A on Friday.
“Palestra has been one of the revelations of the Serie A season,” Romano told his YouTube channel. “An important player for the present and future.
“Inter and Juventus have certainly already made calls to find out about him. Atalanta are not particularly keen on setting a price, they believe they have an absolute diamond on their hands and they have no desire to offer big discounts.
“You hear about 35 million [Euros], but maybe it’s closer to 40 million. There’s no price written on paper that you can attack or negotiate. Anyone who wants him will have to make a significant investment.”
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