Paper Talk
Liverpool are considering a bid for Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol as they look to rebuild their defence this summer, according to the Daily Express.
The Reds are set to lose veteran centre-back Jamie Carragher to retirement this summer. The number 23 will play his final game at Anfield this Sunday against QPR.
The Daily Express says of Albiol’s situation:
According to reports in Italy, Albiol has fallen out of favour with Jose Mourinho and has been limited to just 11 starts.
The 27-year-old signed for Real in 2009 under much promise on a €15million move from Valencia, however when Mourinho took over, he lost his regular place in the starting line-up.
Albiol, who has made 38 appearances for the Spanish national team, could be available for a cut price with Real Madrid expected to have managerial changes this summer, which usually bring with them a flurry of transfers.
However he signed a new contract at the Bernebeau last summer, meaning his contract does not expire until 2017.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers looks to have central defence as is priority position to buy-in this summer, losing Carragher and having lost his taste for Martin Skrtel after a poor run of form by the Slovakian earlier in the season.
Liverpool have also been linked with moves for Swansea’s Ashley Williams, Ajax’s Toby Alderweireld and Lille’s Lucas Digne, with the transfer window set to open at the start of July.
Meanwhile, 17 year old defender Lloyd Jones is expected to sign a three-year deal after impressing for the Under 21’s this season. He was named on the bench at Fulham on Sunday.
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