Liverpool Transfer News: Luciano Vietto 'Could Sign,' Fresh Marc Bartra Rumours
The agent of Villarreal starlet Luciano Vietto has confirmed Liverpool are interested in signing his client, but he suggests Real Madrid and other European giants are monitoring his progress.
Jorge Cysterpiller, Vietto's representative, spoke after the striker put in a quality substitute performance during the side's 1-1 Bernabeu draw with Los Blancos, as reported by AS:
"We know that a lot of big clubs are watching Luciano Vietto. There is a lot of competition for him. He could sign for Liverpool, we know that he is admired by the Reds, as well as Real Madrid and two Bundesliga clubs. I think he could leave Villarreal in the summer.
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Vietto has scored 16 goals across 31 appearances in La Liga and the Europa League, also providing six assists along the way, per WhoScored.com. The 21-year-old is a crafty finisher and possesses real confidence on the ball, attributes Brendan Rodgers loves to utilise at Anfield.
Bill Cooper of the Mirror believes £12 million will be needed to lure Vietto away from El Madrigal in a move the player previously suggested he is open to.
"If these great teams come forward and make an offer we'll see," he told AS (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro). "The offer would first have to be very good, but it would be very good for me and good for Villarreal."
Like Liverpool, Villarreal are a team on the up. Marcelino's men are currently sixth in La Liga and have a Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona to enjoy. They also moved beyond Red Bull Salzburg to qualify for the Europa League's round of 16, which will see them face Spanish rivals Sevilla for a place in the quarter-finals.
Rodgers could target the Argentinian as a replacement for Mario Balotelli, who was recently linked with a transfer to new MLS outfit Orlando City, per Fichajes (h/t Sanderson). Vietto is perhaps a more natural fit for the Merseyside club, as highlighted by his incisive play below:
It's likely attractive that Vietto has stepped up so quickly in Spain's top division. He only joined Villarreal at the start of the season, joining from Argentina's Racing Club de Avellaneda, but the striker has already proven he has what it takes to be successful in Europe.
Rodgers is the type of operator who appreciates this gutsiness. He is also someone who would reward the striker's energetic output with plenty of responsibility.
Andres Cordero of beinSPORTS recently highlighted the similarities between Vietto and Palermo's Paulo Dybala, who continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League:
Spain has proven to be a fruitful hunting ground on Rodgers' quest to build his squad—with players such as Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo recently joining the club—so it's no surprise to see Vietto isn't the only La Liga-based talent reportedly catching the manager's eye.
Liverpool are "monitoring" Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra according to Fichajes (h/t Lewis Rudd of Metro), with scouts reportedly being deployed to watch his progress. Bartra has made just 13 starts across all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com, and he could be looking to move on in search of first-team football at the age of 24.
He is a ball-playing defender in the style Rodgers admires and could provide extra quality as Liverpool continue to find form in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Players such as Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu currently sit ahead of Bartra in the Camp Nou pecking order, but Barca's transfer ban could halt them from wanting to sell before January 2016.
Rodgers has managed to whip Liverpool into playing exciting, fast-paced football once more. Vietto appears to be a smart pick with this in mind, as Liverpool's short, sharp passes adhere to his intricate style of play. Bartra is experienced at the top level and has a point to prove, so he could also amount to a wise investment by the Northern Irish boss.
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