Liverpool Transfer News: Alberto Moreno Linked with Real Madrid, Latest Rumours

Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno has been named as a shock transfer target of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, according to reports in Spain.

Meanwhile, the Anfield club will reportedly face competition to sign a precocious teenager already being dubbed the "new Luis Suarez."

Alejandro Alcazar of Spanish publication Sport, has identified Moreno as one of the players Perez is keen to recruit this summer, as part of his bid to overhaul Los Blancos. Apparently, former Sevilla man Moreno would be one part of a dream, new-look back five for Perez:

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It would be David De Gea (Manchester United) in goal, with a back four of Alberto Moreno (Liverpool), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), John Stones (Everton), and David Alaba (Bayern Munich). They’ve been linked with two left-backs in Moreno and Alaba, while they already have Danilo and Dani Carvajal on the right.

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Obviously, this is slightly pie-in-the-sky stuff, not least because of the cost involved in such a radical potential overhaul—a figure Alcazar puts at "around 700 million euros." He also cites Madrid's possible FIFA-imposed transfer ban as a stumbling block, a sanction currently suspended on appeal.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

It will also likely surprise some Liverpool fans that Moreno would be coveted by one of the game's biggest clubs. After all, the 23-year-old can hardly be called a success since moving to Anfield for a reported £12 million fee back in 2014.

But mooted interest in Moreno from the Spanish capital is actually nothing new. Late in the summer of 2015, Italian source Tuttomercato (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror) claimed then-Madrid boss Rafa Benitez wanted to sign Moreno as a replacement for Fabio Coentrao.

At his best, Moreno even boasts attributes Madrid would likely find appealing, specifically his technical quality and a willingness to raid forward whenever the opportunity presents itself.

He recently expressed his fondness for attacking—something Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp encourages—during an interview with ESPN FC's Paola Nunez: "He's a manager who likes his full-backs to be very attacking and that's something I love. I really like supporting the attack."

Moreno was talking up Klopp's positive influence on him since taking over at Anfield, an influence Nunez sees in improvements within the full-back's game: "Although he only has two assists so far this season, no other defender in the Premier League has created more chances that Moreno's 46, and no Liverpool player has provided more crosses his 20."

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During the interview, Moreno also discussed his struggles getting used to the physical nature of England's top flight, as well as his difficulties with the language barrier. Both of those things could eventually push him toward a move back to Spain.

Competition Brewing for "New Suarez"

Manchester City are expected to lead the chase for Uruguayan striker Joaquin Ardaiz, with scouts ready to run the rule over the 16-year-old attacker.

That's bad news for both Liverpool and Barcelona, two other clubs keen on the youngster already being compared favourably to ex-Reds attacking talisman Suarez, according to Mike McGrath of the Sun: "Liverpool and Barcelona have also shown interest in the 16-year-old, who has been promoted to his team's first-team squad for the rest of the campaign."

Liverpool certainly need an infusion of talent up front. Klopp's squad is currently floundering due to the lack of a natural centre-forward who can lead the line.

Any player who compares with Suarez should appeal to Liverpool, since the current Barca star almost helped the Reds claim the Premier League title in the 2013/14 campaign.

Signing a prospect wouldn't necessarily immediately solve Liverpool's issues up front, but there's no way Klopp can continue with Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and the brittle Daniel Sturridge.

Klopp has coaxed some improvement from Moreno, a defender still young enough to improve further. Yet it will be tough for the Spaniard to say no if Madrid really do come calling, just at it will be difficult to beat City or Barcelona to an exciting young talent like Ardaiz.