Report: Liverpool tried to sign Atletico Madrid’s Javier Manquillo on deadline day

Liverpool attempted to sign Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo on transfer deadline day, according to reports in Spain.

With Glen Johnson out of action for an indefinite period of time, and Andre Wisdom on loan at Derby for the remainder of the season, Liverpool find themselves short of options on the right side of defence.

Jon Flanagan returned from injury against Everton last week to play at right-back for the Reds, and held that position for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom.

Spanish daily newspaper AS report that Liverpool were in negotiations with Atletico for Manquillo right up until January’s transfer window closed at 23:00 GMT on Friday, 31st January 2014, although it was never reported in the Liverpool transfer rumours that were going about.

19 year old Manquillo is an exciting talent in Spanish football, having made seven appearances for Spain’s Under-20 team, but has only played five times for Atletico in La Liga.

AS suggest Liverpool were hopeful of agreeing a permanent deal with Atletico of around £8 million, but manager Diego Simeone was reluctant to sell without a buy-back clause in the deal.

No agreement over a loan move for the rest of the season could be made, either.

Liverpool also spent transfer deadline day chasing Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka, but the deal fell through at the last minute.

On Sunday, Brendan Rodgers came out in defence of Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre, who was in Ukraine last week trying to thrash out a deal.

Elsewhere, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has been linked with a permanent move to Atletico at the end of the season, should they fail to make their loan of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea permanent.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments