It's an open secret that Liverpool want to sign another left-back before the end of the transfer window, and new reports today suggest that the Reds are on the brink of signing Benfica defender Lorenzo Melgarejo.
Over the weekend, the Liverpool Echo claimed:
"The Paraguayan left-back will move to Anfield on a season-long deal, subject to a work permit application being accepted.
"The Reds will have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of around £7m next summer, should the move develop into a success"
Speculation has intensified over the last couple of days, and according to Portuese newspaper Jornal Record today:
"The future of Lorenzo Melgarejo will be decided this week. The Paraguayan left-back, 22, is just waiting for the his Agent to arrive in Portugal, which will speed up his one-season loan deal to Liverpool".
O Jogo claims, however, that Liverpool have 'closed the door' on the move for Melgarejo, with the club renewing its interest in Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho.
Melgarejo's current contract expires in 2018, and contains a massive €30m release clause, which begs the question, why would Benfica allegedly be willing to sell him for £7m?
One thing to consider is that Melgarejo is not a natural left back. At Independiente, the Paraguayan played as an out and out left-winger, but upon his arrival at Benfica, the club's boss Jorge Jesus decided to convert Melgarejo into a defender, an experiment that abjectly failed. Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert told The Mirror:
"A series of blunders during preseason cost several goals. Melgarejo [then] scored a spectacular own goal and laid on a perfect ‘assist’ for the opposition, in a 2-2 draw against Braga.
"For the whole season [left back] remained Benfica’s weak spot, with opposition teams targeting Melgarejo. His lack of aggression and positional difficulties [showed] that he did not have the attributes to perform the role.
"By the end of the campaign the penny finally dropped and Jorge Jesus dropped Melgarejo for the Portuguese Cup final".
This doesn't sound good at all. If Rodgers intends to use Melgarejo as a left-back, it is surely negligent to do so given the fact he is clearly not suited to the role. Why not just focus on signing a specialist full-back; are we to believe that Liverpool's scouts are unable to find a natural left-back anywhere in world football?!
Another factor that may come into play is Melgarejo's legal status. With nly one international appearance for Paraguay, it may be difficult for him to get a work permit. As such, perhaps a move for Cissokho is a more sensible option?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Over the weekend, the Liverpool Echo claimed:
"The Paraguayan left-back will move to Anfield on a season-long deal, subject to a work permit application being accepted.
"The Reds will have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of around £7m next summer, should the move develop into a success"
Speculation has intensified over the last couple of days, and according to Portuese newspaper Jornal Record today:
"The future of Lorenzo Melgarejo will be decided this week. The Paraguayan left-back, 22, is just waiting for the his Agent to arrive in Portugal, which will speed up his one-season loan deal to Liverpool".
O Jogo claims, however, that Liverpool have 'closed the door' on the move for Melgarejo, with the club renewing its interest in Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho.
Melgarejo's current contract expires in 2018, and contains a massive €30m release clause, which begs the question, why would Benfica allegedly be willing to sell him for £7m?
One thing to consider is that Melgarejo is not a natural left back. At Independiente, the Paraguayan played as an out and out left-winger, but upon his arrival at Benfica, the club's boss Jorge Jesus decided to convert Melgarejo into a defender, an experiment that abjectly failed. Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert told The Mirror:
"A series of blunders during preseason cost several goals. Melgarejo [then] scored a spectacular own goal and laid on a perfect ‘assist’ for the opposition, in a 2-2 draw against Braga.
"For the whole season [left back] remained Benfica’s weak spot, with opposition teams targeting Melgarejo. His lack of aggression and positional difficulties [showed] that he did not have the attributes to perform the role.
"By the end of the campaign the penny finally dropped and Jorge Jesus dropped Melgarejo for the Portuguese Cup final".
This doesn't sound good at all. If Rodgers intends to use Melgarejo as a left-back, it is surely negligent to do so given the fact he is clearly not suited to the role. Why not just focus on signing a specialist full-back; are we to believe that Liverpool's scouts are unable to find a natural left-back anywhere in world football?!
Another factor that may come into play is Melgarejo's legal status. With nly one international appearance for Paraguay, it may be difficult for him to get a work permit. As such, perhaps a move for Cissokho is a more sensible option?
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
