Liverpool’s transfer summer has so far been defined more by patience than by movement, with supporters growing restless at the slow pace of business.
Yet behind the scenes, the recruitment team continue to cast a wide net, and one long standing interest has resurfaced in the Italian and Spanish press this weekend.
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The Reds have built a reputation for tracking talent over extended periods rather than acting on impulse, and this particular name is one they have kept tabs on for some time.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool have been monitoring the defender’s progress for a couple of years, with an initial enquiry made as far back as the aftermath of the 2024 Europa League final.
That competition is where the player in question first truly announced himself.
Matteo Ruggeri, the 24 year old Italy international, was a central figure in Atalanta’s historic European triumph that season, and the left back has continued to build his stock since.
Standing at six foot two, he is admired for his stamina, his crossing and his all round defensive discipline, a profile shaped in Atalanta’s academy and honed under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Ruggeri completed a move to Atletico Madrid in July 2025 for a fee in the region of seventeen million euros, and his debut campaign in La Liga proved a success.
He featured more than 40 times across all competitions under Diego Simeone, chipping in with three assists in the league and starting both legs of Atletico’s Champions League semi final against Arsenal.
There is a neat piece of history too, given the Italian made his professional debut for Atalanta back in November 2020 in a Champions League tie against Liverpool.
The renewed speculation, per the same Italian outlet, places Tottenham alongside Liverpool in the chase, while a cluster of Serie A sides are also circling.
Fiorentina are said to have made concrete attempts, Inter Milan view him as a possible replacement for Carlos Augusto, and both AC Milan and Juventus have registered their interest in bringing him back to Italy.
“Interest also came from the Premier League.”
“Liverpool have been monitoring Ruggeri’s development for a couple of years, so much so that after the 2024 Europa League final, they conducted an inquiry, but the response was negative.”
“De Zerbi’s Tottenham also considered him, but again, his availability was negative.”
There is, however, a significant caveat.
Atletico are reported to be determined to keep Ruggeri and are prepared to reject any offers that arrive, meaning any pursuit would likely require a substantial bid to even open the door.
For Liverpool, the interest reads as a watching brief rather than an urgent priority.
Left back is arguably the club’s best stocked position, with Milos Kerkez the first choice and Kostas Tsimikas having returned from a loan at Roma to provide competition.
With Andoni Iraola’s side having opened pre season with a 4-2 win over Sunderland, and more pressing needs elsewhere in the squad, this looks a classic case of Liverpool keeping a familiar name firmly on the radar.
Matteo Ruggeri