Liverpool Transfer News: Mathieu Valbuena Opens Door to Marseille Exit

Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has hinted that the chance to move away from Ligue 1 is something that interests him.

The France international has been with Marseille since 2006 and has grown to become one of their star players. However, fighting the riches of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, there is a limitation on what can be achieved at the club.

Alex Richards of Mirror Football reports that the Liverpool target is tempted to test himself in foreign leagues:

"

A departure? To discover something else next season could be interesting.

My goal is to make a great second half of the season in the club and make a great World Cup.

It's been eight years since I am here at l'OM. I've never hidden that an experience abroad tempts me. We'll see...

"

The possibility of joining Liverpool must surely tempt Valbuena, a player who is reaching the end of his career. The Reds are an upwardly mobile club with a forward-thinking manager who plays fast-paced, attacking football.

A creative player such as Valbuena would thrive under Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, and he would represent a different option to those already available.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Liverpool have been looking for reinforcements on the wing, and they have been linked with Barcelona's Cristian Tello, per Gary Jones of The Daily Star, and Basel's Mohamed Salah, as reported by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail Online.

Valbuena would offer an experienced alternative to the likes of Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho, but he can also play as a more central-attacking midfielder.

That position might also have a vacancy at Anfield after Rodgers switched Steven Gerrard to a deeper midfield role for the recent trip to Stoke, per BBC Sport.

As shown here by WhoScored, Valbuena would have no problem handling the responsibility, something he currently does for Marseille and France:

At 29 years old, Valbuena does not have age on his side. Any deal to bring him to Liverpool would have to represent good value in terms of transfer fee and wages. It would also likely be a short-term agreement as Rodgers is an advocate of youth and unlikely to offer him a long contract.

Liverpool arguably need to be chasing a higher calibre of player than Valbuena, but as they make plans for a return to Champions League football, they could certainly do much worse than a man of his experience.