Barcelona have been linked a surprise summer move for Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno, as they look to find cover for Jordi Alba ahead of the 2019-20 La Liga season.
Ernesto Valverde’s side have been rumoured to be keen on a number of left backs in recent months, as the former Athletic Bilbao boss looks to establish permanent cover for Alba.
With their interest rebuffed for Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis, La Blaugrana have struggled to attract players on the premise of playing a supporting role for the Catalan side next season.
Former Sevilla defender Moreno has spent the majority of the past two seasons on the bench at Anfield, due to his own poor form, and the rise of Scottish international Andrew Robertson.
The 26 year-old has started just four games for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, and he has reportedly voiced his displeasure to the German boss about his lack of playing time.
Liverpool are happy for Moreno to leave in the summer, as it would free up a sizeable wage and they could look to promote a back up for Robertson from within the club’s youth set up.
Whilst on the face of it, Moreno would be swapping one substitutes bench for another, his role at the Nou Camp would be markedly different to that at Anfield.
He would be guaranteed Copa del Rey football, with Valverde more likely to trust him in La Liga, than Klopp in the Premier League.
The player himself is also keen to return to Spain after a miserable eighteen months on Merseyside, with Barcelona in a position to bring him in on a free transfer, as his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Valverde has experienced issues this season when needing cover for Alba, with Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo both struggling when asked to switch from the right side of defence.
Utility man Thomas Vermaelen is also out of contract this summer, with a renewal at the Nou Camp very unlikely, and Jeison Murillo returning to Valencia, after not making a La Liga appearance so far during his loan spell.
That would leave the Catalan side short of numbers at the back, with a cut price option of Moreno on a two-year deal allowing big money moves on other potential transfer targets.
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