1 Nov 2015

Transfer Alert: Exciting €25m attacker Liverpool tried to sign 'will' quit Barcelona. Sign?

During the 2013-2014, Liverpool were constantly linked with a move for Barcelona star Cristian Tello, who ultimately ended up at Porto on a 2-year loan. Tello had an unhappy time at the Nou Camp, and his agent has this week confirmed that the 24-year old has no intention of returning to Spain when his loan spell comes to an end.

Clearly, there's an opportunity for Europe's top clubs to snap up a classy attacker entering the prime of his career. Should Liverpool reignited their interest next summer?

When asked about Tello's future this week, his agent confirmed that the Spaniard 'does not want to return to Camp Nou', and revealed that Barcelona are willing to let him leave. He added:

"His [Tello's] future is not at Barcelona. If Porto don't want him to stay, he will move on, and there is plenty of interest from other countries".

Liverpool Transfer Timeline (Most recent links):

* Sep 2013: Tello confirmed Liverpool's interest: Marca: "I knew that Liverpool were interested in me, but I never planned to leave".

* Dec 2013: Spanish newspaper Radio Barca reported: "Tello is close to joining Liverpool on loan".

* Jan 2013: Gazetta Dello Sport journalist Tancredi Palmeri claimed: "Liverpool getting Tello on loan is very close to happening: Just had a confirmation from internal source from Barcelona"

* May 2014: Spanish newspaper Sport claimed that Liverpool were 'in talks' with Tello over a possible deal.

With Messi, Neymar, Turan, and Suarez in the squad, it's hardly surprising that Tello wants to leave Barcelona. If he returns, he'll return to being a bit-part player, and unless something drastic changes, this is likely to be the pattern for the foreseeable future.

Tello - who has a €25m - wants to stay at Porto, but will the club be willing to meet his buyout clause? Porto have never spent more than €20m on a single player, so unless Barcelona drop their asking price, it's unlikely that Tello will remain in Portugal.

At Liverpool, Jordon Ibe is the only dedicated winger in the first-team squad, so the Reds desperately need attacking players capable of providing genuine width. Tello fits the bill, and his stats at Porto are creditable (21 goals/assists in 46s apps), but there are (arguably) better options out there (Yarmolenko, for example).

A viable option for Jurgen Klopp?

Author: Jaimie K


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