Rumour Mongering: Liverpool Eye Espanyol Fullback

In a rumor sure to excite the #buyafullback crowd (although not yet the #andanotherfullback crowd), Liverpool are allegedly interested in bringing in 21-year-old rightback Marc Navarro from Espanyol.

According the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo Liverpool are interested in securing the Spaniard’s services this summer. The player recently signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2021. However, it is believed that he has a release clause of £21.3 million.

Navarro has been plying his trade with Espanyol’s B team since 2014, but recently broke through to the first team in spectacular fashion. Although he only has four senior starts for Espanyol under his belt, he already has two goals and an assist to his name. Additionally, his height—listed at 188cm (6’2”)—would give us something our current first choice option, Nathaniel Clyne, lacks.

Of course, there are several reasons to doubt this rumor. Even in the current transfer market, £21 million is a huge chunk of change, particularly for a largely unproven young fullback. Doubly so for one that would undoubtedly be a second-choice rightback behind Clynebot 3000. The fact that Liverpool need to strengthen in other areas, like, I don’t know LEFTback, makes this one even more curious. And the source of a Spanish newspaper without a connection to Liverpool is only the icing on the skeptical cake.

So, Navarro seems like an interesting up and coming prospect, but one that doesn’t seem all that likely for Liverpool to seriously pursue. Perhaps Southampton would like to pick him up and develop him further, before we come back two years later at double the price?