Liverpool approach Bundesliga giants over £18.5m-rated defender – report
By Danny Wright
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, according to a report.
The Mirror claims that the Reds have been scouting the 24-year-old and have made contact with the Bundesliga giants ahead of a deal.
It is understood that AC Milan are also interested in the left-back, but both they and Liverpool could be put off by Wolfsburg’s £18.5million valuation of the player.
According to the Mirror, both of the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finalists have sent scouts to watch over Rodriguez, who is widely known as one of the best full-backs in the Bundesliga.
However his season has been hampered by various injury problems and has only played once in the last two months.
Rodriguez is traditionally a left-back, but has also played in the centre of defence for Wolfsburg this season, where he has made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and supplying three assists.
He suffered a ruptured ligament in early March which kept him out of six games, before picking up an ankle injury after the 6-0 loss to Bayern Munich at the end of April.
The 45-times Switzerland international arrived at Wolfsburg in 2012 from his home-town club FC Zurich.
The Sun previously reported that both Chelsea and Arsenal were interested in the left-back in January.
The Mirror reported late on Saturday night that Liverpool had agreed terms with Hull left-back Andrew Robertson – it is not known if that news will have an impact on Liverpool’s interest in Rodriguez.
Football Insider Verdict
Liverpool need a left-back – there’s no denying that. James Milner has played well there this season but he really should be played in the midfield due to his quality on the ball and lack of true defensive qualities. Rodriguez is an all-rounder of a full-back. He can bomb down the wing and deliver crosses and set-pieces into the box as well as switch into a central role and prove a stern test for any opposing striker. If Liverpool can bring down Wolfburg’s valuation for the player then they could be in for a very good deal. But first they must do their best to convince him that AC Milan isn’t the right option for him – and to do that they must qualify for the Champions League.
In other Liverpool news, Stan Collymore has predicted the Reds’ trip to West Ham on Sunday.
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