Martin Montoya Transfer Link Fits the Bill for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers

Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya is again linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, and he would be a free signing that supporters can agree would make a good acquisition.

While some fans may be downhearted by links to out-of-contract duo Danny Ings and James Milner, Montoya is one free signing who would be universally welcomed.

Simon Jones for MailOnline reports that Liverpool are currently monitoring the 24-year-old's situation at the Camp Nou, with his contract expiring this summer and regular Barca right-back Dani Alves now nearing a contract extension.

Montya was first linked with a move to Merseyside back in November 2013, with many reports suggesting a deal was about to be agreed upon (via This Is Anfield).

Andy Hunter wrote in The Guardian at the time that, "Liverpool are exploring the prospect of a permanent deal in January."

Alas, Liverpool's monitoring of the player ended with Montoya signing a two-year extension at Barcelona instead, and another target got away.

Over 18 months later, Liverpool still haven't solved their right-back situation.

Johnson, Flanagan, Manquillo

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Glen Johnson has continued to fail to impress and despite Brendan Rodgers claiming he wanted the 30-year-old to sign a new deal at the club, that looks unlikely, with West Ham United among his potential suitors when his contract expires this summer, per Simon Jones.

Johnson has missed large spells this season due to injury, while young academy full-back Jon Flanagan has missed the whole campaign due to a knee injury. Flanagan now faces a further six to nine months out after further surgery, per BBC Sport. Flanagan is also out of contract this summer and is yet to have agreed to a new deal, despite one being reported by the Liverpool Echo to be close to being signed last August.

Whether Flanagan signs a new deal or not, he won't be available for most of next season, leaving a hole in the right side of Rodgers' defence.

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The Liverpool boss brought in Javier Manquillo on an initial loan deal from Atletico Madrid, but despite the 21-year-old featuring heavily and performing admirably in the early months of the season, he's now not started a game since January.

The Spaniard's last Premier League start was in December, and it's reasonable therefore to assume Rodgers has no intention to keep him at the club.

It was reported, by The Guardian's Andy Hunter, upon Manquillo's arrival at Anfield that Atletico can break the two-year loan deal in 2016 for a fee. But it looks more likely Liverpool would be the ones to cut the deal early this summer.

Some supporters may claim Andre Wisdom, currently out on loan to West Bromwich Albion, is the solution.

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However, the 21-year-old defender has barely featured for the Baggies in recent months, having played just 20 minutes in two substitute appearances since January.

Wisdom was a regular feature for West Brom prior to Tony Pulis' arrival at the club, but he's very much out of favour now. Is he really the solution for Liverpool? It seems unlikely.

Indeed, Wisdom's natural position before being handed a chance in the Liverpool side in Rodgers' first season was at centre-back, a role he played in each of the last two pre-seasons. It's odd then that he has been allowed by Liverpool to be used as a right-back for both Derby County and West Brom on his two loan spells in the last two campaigns. It makes it difficult to gauge where Rodgers and Liverpool see his future positionally.

Perhaps Wisdom could provide back-up to the right-back position next season, but clearly Liverpool need a first-choice player for the role.

Well, that is presuming Rodgers wishes to continue with a back four next season, having moved away from three at the back over the last month.

Montoya

Montoya, on paper, looks like the ideal signing. He's still young at age 24, he has experience of the Champions League, is cultured into the playing style that Rodgers desires, is available on a free transfer and is also versatile, having played at left-back for parts of last season.

Good on the ball, a neat passer who can also dribble and get forward, Montoya would suit Liverpool's right side.

Having made 45 appearances in La Liga and seven in the Champions League (per Transfermarkt), Montoya has experience, but he also has a desire to become a regular and develop into an established right-back.

Having been named in the Spain squad twice so far in his career but yet to make his full international debut, Montoya will be eyeing regular football in order to make his mark for his country.

Should he arrive this summer, what would be frustrating—perhaps for both club and player—is that Liverpool didn't get this deal sorted two years ago.