Liverpool are believed to be interested in completing the signing of Real Socieded right-back Jon Aramburu, with the Venezuelan a highly-rated player.
The Reds have looked poor in full-back areas this season, with Gary Neville among those to criticise the unconvincing performances of Jeremie Frimpong:
“He’s not got a natural instinct in how to defend. We used to criticise Trent Alexander-Arnold for his defensive work. Just to put this into context, Alexander-Arnold is a lot better defender than Frimpong.
“A lot better, and he used to get criticism. And he used to contribute 15, 20 assists a season, I don’t think Frimpong will.”
A new right-back is important for Liverpool, despite Conor Bradley returning from a lengthy injury absence at some point, and according to TEAMtalk, Aramburu is being looked at as an option.
Both the Reds and Manchester City are mentioned as suitors for the 24-year-old, who is described as “one of LaLiga’s most highly-rated full-backs” in the report. Tottenham, Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham are in the mix, too.
Liverpool have “carried out checks” on Aramburu, with the feedback on him “hugely positive”, and he has a £50m release clause in his current contract.
Jon Aramburu could be exactly what Liverpool need
With all due respect to Frimpong, it does feel increasingly as though he doesn’t have a long-term future at Liverpool, with the Dutchman not looking competent enough at either end of the pitch.
With Bradley injury-prone and Ronald Araujo better as a centre-back, Aramburu should be seen as a great option for the Reds, not least because he is renowned for his strong defensive work.
At 24, he is experienced enough to come straight in as a starter, but also young enough to improve further, and he already has 22 caps to his name for Venezuela.
This season, Aramburu has won an average of 3.5 tackles per game across six La Liga matches, as well as 3.3 clearances and 2.5 aerial duels.
Bradley still deserves to continue at Liverpool, but his fitness issues are now becoming a concern, and Aramburu would provide stern competition, allowing Frimpong to move on to pastures new, unless he improves drastically.