Liverpool Join Arsenal In Hunt For Paraguay International

With the summer transfer window now open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Liverpool join the chase for Lorenzo Melgarejo.

Liverpool have become the latest club to be linked with a move for Benfica’s highly-rated left-back Lorenzo Melgarejo, according to the Daily Mail.

The Paraguayan international has enjoyed an excellent season in Portugal with Benfica and helped guide them to the final of the Europa League as well as push Porto all the way in the title race.

His form has seen him linked with several clubs throughout Europe with his agent Juan Gabriel Appleyard claiming last month that Arsenal were among the clubs interested in signing him this summer.

“Arsenal and Fenerbahce have enquired about Melgarejo. But so far there has been nothing concrete,” Appleyard is quoted as telling ESPN

The Gunners are yet to make any formal offer and the Mail claim that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is now eyeing a move for the 22-year-old defender after going cold on a deal to sign Aly Cissokho from Valencia.

Liverpool have Jose Enrique and England Under 21 international Jack Robinson already fighting for the left-back position but it seems Rodgers wants another option and the report suggests he’s turned his attention to Melgarejo and is looking to bring him in on an initial year-long loan move with a view to a permanent transfer if things work out.

However, any move to the Premier League could prove difficult as the South American is likley to struggle to gain a work permit as he’s only got one full international cap for Paraguay so far, so a club would have to apply for an ‘exceptional talent’ permit which is far from guaranteed to be successful.

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