Man Utd Blow As Agent Confirms 28-Goal Striker Target Is Open To Liverpool Move

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Carlos Bacca is open to joining Liverpool…

The agent of Manchester United target Carlos Bacca has confirmed that Liverpool are on the players list of clubs he’s like to join this summer, report the Liverpool Echo.

Bacca has just enjoyed another excellent season at Sevilla where his 28 goals helped the club to a fifth-placed finish in La Liga while he scored a brace against Dnipro in the final to secure the Europa League trophy last month.

The 28-year-old’s impressive form has led to speculation over a potential move to the Premier League and the Daily Star reported earlier this week that Manchester United had joined Liverpool in showing a keen interest in the striker.

United are on the look-out for another front-man after rejecting the chance to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis and Bacca would certainly provide Louis van Gaal with a real threat in front of goal next season if they were to buy him.

Liverpool have also been tracking the Colombian international and the Mirror reported just yesterday that the Merseysiders are pushing hard to try and complete a deal as Brendan Rodgers continues to overhaul his squad having already agreed deals for five new players this summer.

It was gearing up to be an interesting battle and United’s main trump card over Liverpool was the fact that they can offer Bacca the chance to play Champions League football – which is something he could also look forward to if he stays at Sevilla.

However, the Red Devils have now received a blow as the strikers agent, Sergio Barila, has been quoted as saying that Liverpool are on the short-list of clubs Bacca would be keen to join, so it appears Champions League football isn’t crucial to the player.

Barila also confirmed Liverpool’s interest but says they face competition from an unnamed English club [presumably United] as well as teams from Italy, but warned that any interested party needs to trigger his release clause – which the Liverpool Echo claim is set at £21.3m.

“We have had lots of interest but so far there has been no official approach,” Barila is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo

“I spoke with Carlos on Wednesday night and we agreed we need a real solution.

“Clubs are telling him not to sign anything until they have made an offer but we are still waiting.

“Liverpool and another English club are among those that have shown an interest but there are also clubs in Italy. What is clear is that they must meet the release clause but at this stage nobody has.

“Sevilla are a good team who will play in the Champions League next season so it wouldn’t be a disaster to stay. Carlos has other options to earn a lot of money in places like China or the United Arab Emirates but that would not fit in with what he is looking for.

“We are really looking at three things – number one is to have a happy family situation for his wife and son because he had a bad experience in Belgium. The second is to find a good team with a good project. Before he went to Chile, we wrote down a list of clubs that fit that description and Liverpool was on that list.

“The third question is the contract. He has a good salary in Sevilla but we know how much clubs in England can pay.”

So it looks like Liverpool are very-much in the race for Bacca’s signature – despite their lack of Champions League football – so United are going to have to work hard if they want to lure the striker to Old Trafford this summer.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

I think Bacca would be an excellent addition for either club as he has all the attributes needed to be a success here in the Premier League. However, he’s still away on international duty with Colombian at the Copa America so you’d think any decision over his future will have to wait until the end of the tournament.