Real Madrid Transfer News: Alberto Moreno and Ricardo Rodriguez Rumours Emerge

Real Madrid’s hunt for a new left-back will see them target Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno and Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez, with the former said to be a “real option” for Los Blancos.

According to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, the La Liga giants have been on the hunt for a deputy for Marcelo for a while, and that search has been stepped up a notch in the wake of the injury suffered by the Brazilian during the recent clash with Barcelona. It’s suggested it is now “imperative” that a left-back is drafted in.

Diaz feels Moreno would be ideal for Real. “The Real Madrid suits would prefer to sign someone who isn't cup-tied in the Champions League,” he writes. “Alberto Moreno, who has been on the club's radar before, fits the bill, with Liverpool only in the Europa League, and the former Sevilla youngster represents a real option.”

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For the player, it’d surely be an enticing proposition. Although Liverpool are a grand club, there are few greater privileges than playing for Real Madrid for a young Spaniard.

IndigoLFC feels as though the former Sevilla man is a very handy and somewhat underrated operator too:

However, there seem to be more reasons against making the move to the Santiago Bernabeu than for Moreno's possible switch.

He seems to be thriving under the tutelage of new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, making noticeable refinements to his game both defensively and going forward. In addition, the 23-year-old is a very popular figure at Anfield.

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Moreno would struggle to nail down a first-team place at the Bernabeu too. He’s a player who has the potential to be an excellent full-back but there are still frailties in his game, making Marcelo a much more rounded option. The player certainly won’t reach the same levels as the Brazilian sat on the bench in the Spanish capital.

Indeed, The Anfield Wrap are not convinced their former manager Rafael Benitez will lure Moreno away from Merseyside:

That could prompt Los Blancos into taking a closer look at Rodriguez, who, like Moreno, is a young player who has the potential to go far in the game. 

Stylistically, the Wolfsburg man does differ from Moreno, with his game much more focused on his impact in attacking positions.

The Swiss international is not as dynamic as the Spaniard, but his ability to link play in dangerous areas, deliver devilish crosses into the box and pose a major threat from set pieces around the penalty box makes him a formidable option on the left flank.

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Here’s a look at how Rodriguez, Moreno and Marcelo have all compared in their respective league matches in 2015-16 up to now:

	Moreno	Rodriguez	Marcelo
Apps (Sub)	8 (4)	11	11
Goals	0	1	2
Assists	1	1	1
Tackles per game	2.8	2.1	2.5
Interceptions per game	1.6	1.7	2.2
Key passes per game	1.8	1.5	1.7
Dribbles per game	0.7	1	2

For both players, it’d be a big gamble making the move to Real Madrid. Marcelo is one of the elite left-backs in world football and although being a deputy to him would be beneficial in some ways, not getting enough playing time would be a huge concern for Moreno and Rodriguez.

It seems as though Real view Moreno as the more realistic target and if they do come in for him midseason, there’s no doubt the Liverpool man will be tempted. However, he seems set to become a crucial part of Klopp’s vibrant Reds side and as such, the Premier League side will be very reluctant to sell.