Liverpool Transfer News: Alberto Moreno Targeted by Real Madrid, Fresh Rumours

Real Madrid will launch a late bid to bring Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno to the Spanish capital, according to reports.

Tutto Mercato Web (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror) claimed Los Blancos manager Rafa Benitez is keen on the former Sevilla man and is on the hunt for a left-back after Fabio Coentrao was sent out on loan. According to the piece, it’s a deal Reds manager Brendan Rodgers could let happen too.

Indeed, Moreno has yet to start a game for Liverpool this season, with Rodgers opting for teenager Joe Gomez in the left-back slot. As FourFourTweet noted ahead of the previous round of Premier League matches, the 18-year-old has been excellent in his performances to this point:

But he’s not a long-term option on the left side of the defence. Gomez is a centre-back by trade, while Moreno is Liverpool’s best orthodox left-back. But it’d be fair to say that since making his move from Andalusia last summer, the Spanish star has yet to fully convince in the iconic red jersey.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Going forward, he’s a major threat. Moreno is an industrious and incisive presence on the left flank, showcasing a composure and quality when he does get into dangerous areas. But his tepid style of defending has yet to fully convince many, including Sport Witness:

For the player, a move to Real Madrid would be a tantalising opportunity. There are few greater honours for Spanish players than being wanted by Los Blancos, and if Liverpool are willing to let Moreno leave, he’d surely jump at the chance to swap Merseyside for Madrid.

But at the Santiago Bernabeu, he’d be a deputy to Marcelo. And with Jose Enrique, who suffers with perennial fitness problems, the only other natural left-back option in the Reds squad, it’s tough to see Liverpool letting Moreno leave so late in the window. Therefore, the 23-year-old is likely to stay at Anfield but will have to battle hard to earn his place in the team.

Sunderland Chasing Fabio Borini

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Fabio Borini looks certain to depart Liverpool in the final knockings of the transfer window, and according to the Daily Mail (h/t Whaling), the Italian forward is the subject of an £8 million bid from Sunderland.

As noted in the piece, the striker is surplus to requirements at Anfield despite being the first signing of Rodgers’ tenure. It’s reported the Black Cats bid £10 million for Borini last summer, but Liverpool may be willing to accept this reduced offer.

Barry Glendenning of the Guardian is unsure whether a move to the Stadium of Light would necessarily be a good transfer for the player, who was previously unwilling to permanently sign for the club:

Borini had the best season of his career on loan at Sunderland in 2013-14. During that spell, he bagged seven goals and two assists for the Black Cats, per WhoScored.com, but it was his versatility, link-up play and industry that really endeared him to the club’s supporters.

Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Still only 24, Borini has plenty of time to relaunch a career that has stalled at Anfield in recent times. Sunderland will be a familiar venue and a chance for plenty more game time. But with Internazionale also chasing the player, per Sky Sports, Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat may yet face a major fight to get the Italian to Wearside.