3 Aug 2015

Medical Today: Exciting €15m attacker flying-in to sign for Liverpool. Done deal this week?

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Barcelona B attacker Adama Traore, and new reports today suggest the Reds are close to concluding yet another summer transfer.

Last week, Catalan Radio station RAC 1 claimed that:

* Liverpool 'representatives' flew to Barcelona to 'negotiate' a deal for 19-year old Traore.

* Rodgers in interested in a loan deal for Traore, who is also reportedly wanted by German giants Bayern Munich.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport today:

* Traore is 'on the verge of becoming a Liverpool player.

* He is due to fly to Merseyside 'today' for a medical.

Traore is a regular for Barcelona B, but his chances of promotion to the first team are slim after the Bs recent relegation to the third-tier of Spanish football.

Barca boss Luis Enrique confirmed as much last week, when he told reporters:

"I'm not happy with the performances of the youth players this past season. I expected a lot more from them."

Mundo Deportivo claims, however, that the plan is to promote Traore to the senior team for the 2015-16 season, so on that basis, a one-year loan deal seems to make sense.

Some info about Traore:

* Right-sided attacking midfielder who can also play on the left.

* Current contract expires in June 2018.

* 8 goals/18 assists in 63 games for Barcelona B.

* 4 appearances for the Barcelona first-team.

* 18 appearances for various Spain youth teams.

* Has a €15m release clause in his contract.

* Nicknamed 'The Arrow' due to his lighting pace.

* On his development at Barcelona: "I think a lot of the reason for my progression lies with the coaches I have had here at Barca as they have told me how to improve, which is what I try to do."


Do Liverpool need Traore? At first glance, the answer appears to be no. Bringing Traore may potentially stunt Jordon Ibe's development, and will be (another) slap in the face to similar players toiling away in Liverpool's academy.

That said, perhaps Rodgers is bringing him in as a replacement for the woeful Lazar Markovic? The Serb delivered another poor performance against Swindon on Sunday, and perhaps Rodgers has seen the writing on the wall?

On that basis, a deal for Traore seems to make sense, though there's no real point if it's just for a year, as it could turn into another Victor Moses situation.

The former Chelsea man clearly had no real interest in Liverpool, and barely broke a sweat during his loan spell as his heart was in London, not Merseyside. For Moses, LFC was just a placeholder.

On the other hand, with Sergi Canos, and Joao Teixeira at the club, it's debatable whether Traore is a priority, even with Markovic failing to make an impact.

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Author: Jaimie K


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