According to local Sevilla news outlet Orgullo de Nervion, Liverpool have entered negotiations with the La Liga cub over the potential signing of Sergio Rico.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are reportedly only willing to offer €12m for the player, despite him having a release clause of £28m. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, due to the goalkeeping options already at Liverpool’s disposal.
Danny Ward has returned from his successful loan spell at Huddersfield Town, while Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet are still at the club.
Ward was a hero in the Championship play-off final for Huddersfield, making match-winning saves in the penalty shoot-out against Reading. So he might not go out on loan again and could feature in the club’s plans.
Karius is still rated by Klopp, who signed his fellow German from Bundesliga club Mainz last summer. After a shaky start to life in England, he was dropped for Mignolet. The Belgian returned to the side and performed like the goalkeeper Liverpool thought they had signed from Sunderland.
Mignolet’s impressive form last season, coupled with the strength in depth behind him, makes a move for Rico seem strange. Rico, 23-years old, is a product of the Sevilla academy. He made his debut for the club in 2014, and has now made 139 appearances. He was also a part of Sevilla’s Europa League triumphs, in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
In May 2015, Rico was called up to the Spanish senior squad along with Sevilla teammate Aleix Vidal. Behind Iker Casillas and David De Gea in the Spanish pecking order, he made his international debut against South Korea on June 1st, 2016. Spain won 6-1 in the friendly match, which took place in Salzburg.
Orgullo de Nervion are understood to be a reliable local source in Sevilla. If they claim that Liverpool are interested in Rico, then it is likely to be true. Improving the defensive options is Liverpool’s priority this summer. However, Klopp would like to strengthen his side in many areas of the pitch.
If Rico does sign for the Reds, then what would it mean for the club’s remaining goalkeepers? Who would be shipped out?
