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Just because it's February doesn't mean you can get away from transfer rumour madness. So following on from the ludicrous and likely agent-fuelled reports linking Liverpool with a summer move for Arsenal fullback Bacary Sagna, we've now got reports out of Spain suggesting Granada are already interested in bringing Tiago Ilori back next year—maybe even on a permanent deal.
Granada being interested is of course worlds apart from Liverpool looking to sell. Still, at least in this case there are quotes, with Granada sporting director Juan Carlos Cordero talking to the local press about Ilori's instant impact. And even if a sale seems nigh on impossible and a further loan speculative at best, at least that interest speaks to a player who has made a positive impression.
"He’s shown the experience he gained in Portugal and he’s adapted very quickly to the team," said Cordero. "He will keep growing as a player and is an option for us to assess, if the right circumstances are there. When we reach the end of summer, we’ll see if Liverpool want him for their first team, if they want to sell or loan him to us again."
Given Granada's tenuous position as one of La Liga's have-nots, being able to pony up the kind of fee it would take to convince Liverpool to sell after just one year seems unlikely. As for any potential season-long loan, if Ilori isn't seen as likely to be in contention at Liverpool next season, it's seems far more likely the club would prefer he head out to a side in England.
Still, Liverpool fans who spent the first half of the season wondering if Ilori had fallen into the same black hole as Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto will be heartened to learn he's at least impressing for Granada. It may not be leading Liverpool to glory, but for now it'll have to do—and as further proof of life, have his assist on the only goal in Granada's recent 1-0 victory over Real Betis:
