Rumour Mill: Liverpool turn to Lyon youngster Jordy Gaspar in full-back search

With their hopes of signing Leicester City teenager Ben Chilwell dashed, Liverpool are said to be focussing on Lyon’s Jordy Gaspar.

Gaspar is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for the Ligue 1 side, but is also available to sign having yet to agree a professional deal with the club.

With Jurgen Klopp seemingly keen to add to his full-back ranks this summer, reports in France have suggested Gaspar is a target.

According to L’Equipe, the Reds join Bayer Leverkusen in their pursuit of the 19-year-old, who is able to play at both right- and left-back.

Klopp faces beginning the campaign with few established full-back options, with Brad Smith leaving for Bournemouth and Jon Flanagan potentially joining Burnley on a season-long loan.

Andre Wisdom is also expected to leave, while Connor Randall has been mooted as a possible loan departure.

If Flanagan, Wisdom and Randall all leave, Klopp would have just Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno as established full-backs, with James Milner, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez as likely cover.

Eighteen-year-old academy talent Trent Alexander-Arnold could also be considered, but the versatile youngster is set to drop down to Liverpool’s U23s when Klopp’s squad land back in the UK.

However, the likelihood of signing the inexperienced Gaspar when Alexander-Arnold is available seems an odd situation.

WIGAN, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 17, 2016: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in action against Wigan Athletic during a pre-season friendly match at the DW Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future may be in midfielder, but also serving as cover at right-back would likely aid his development.

Klopp is, of course, looking to sign a specialist left-back following Smith’s move to Dean Court, and it could be that Gaspar is an alternative to Chilwell, as with current trialist Juanma.

With question marks continuing to loom over Alberto Moreno, following another slipshod performance against Chelsea in the International Champions Cup on Thursday morning, Klopp would be advised to sign a more experience, defensive-minded left-back this summer.

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