Montoya will be on his way out of the Nou Camp over the summer
This weekend saw Liverpool’s fans put on their best efforts to celebrate the end of captain Steven Gerrard’s glorious career.
Sadly, the same could not be said of the players, as the Reds limped to a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Perhaps this was a microcosm for Gerrard’s year – a year where the sentimental script was ripped up with the slip against Chelsea, missing out on the title, the disastrous World Cup and retiring from international duty as England captain to prolong his career at Liverpool, only for the club to endure an extremely disappointing season, which included Gerrard missing out on playing at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. This may have been the chief factor behind Gerrard leaving Liverpool for LA Galaxy, realising that regular game time for him would be diminishing.
2015 has hardly been better, with the chance to sign off in an FA Cup final ruined by an awful team performance against Aston Villa, while Gerrard’s sending off after just 38 seconds against Manchester United carries far greater blame on the result than his slip against Chelsea (if anyone is to be blamed for missing out on the league, it’s Simon Mignolet and the linesman in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in December 2013).
Once again the result highlighted how Liverpool have to strengthen in numerous areas to get near the big boys next season, rather than just one or two players.
Therefore, having looked at possible targets for the goalkeeping position, here are five potential defenders that could arrive at Anfield this summer.
Nathaniel Clyne will be the next young star to leave Southampton this summer
Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton)
Before you immediately think all Liverpool can do is buy players from Southampton, just stop for a moment.
There are many players who cannot cut it at the highest level playing for the elite clubs of world football. Perhaps this will be said of Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, although I hope they can come good next season, while Rickie Lambert did not suit Brendan Rodgers’ style of play.
Yet such is the quality of Southampton’s squad, it is likely that they will be raided again this summer by the big fish, and Nathaniel Clyne is certainly one of those players facing an uncertain future.
As there are many who do not make the grade at clubs such as Liverpool, there are others from smaller clubs who do possess the mentality needed to play for a big club.
Perhaps Clyne is part of the latter. At only 24, he is set to be England’s first choice right-back for the foreseeable future, and he has come on leaps and bounds since joining Southampton from Crystal Palace in 2012.
Able to play on the left if needed, Clyne is now known for his bombing raids down the right flank, with attacking qualities now a requirement for the modern full-back. Yet he is also reliable defensively, forming part of a Southampton back-line which is second to Chelsea as the meanest defence in the Premier League.
With the Saints known for their tough negotiations over sales, a fee of around £25m will be needed to prise Clyne away from the south coast.
However, it would be a minor coup if Liverpool bought Clyne, with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all linked, while Clyne has not yet ruled out signing a new deal with Southampton.
Furthermore, Liverpool will not be made of money this summer and £25m is a lot to spend on what is arguably not the priority position. Consequently, other right-back targets may be preferable to Clyne.
Jenkinson has been in fine form on loan to West Ham this season
Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal)
Carl Jenkinson is one of those cheaper targets Liverpool may look at.
They have been linked with a £10m move for the right-back, who is currently on a season long-loan at West Ham, who also want to buy the 23 year old permanently.
Jenkinson likes to get forward, and would be a decent replacement for Glen Johnson, who is set to leave on a free transfer this summer. He is not injury-prone, and the Reds would not have to pay through the nose to sign him, despite Jenkinson being English.
Arsenal have Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and now Hector Bellerin who can all play at right-back, meaning that Jenkinson is unlikely to be playing at Arsenal should he return to his parent club next season, while Arsenal seem happy enough to let him leave – whether that would change if Liverpool upped their interest remains to be seen.
Jenkinson would not be my top choice at right-back, but equally he would be far from the worst signing in the world.
Moreover, unlike Clyne, Jenkinson does have experience playing for an elite club through his time with the Gunners.
Alves is getting on in years but still has plenty of quality to spare
Dani Alves (FC Barcelona)
With the regulations for Financial Fair Play set to be relaxed, almost any club may now attempt to sign Dani Alves. The Brazilian is possibly the highest profile Bosman available this summer, but would command a hefty wage packet.
Nevertheless, he remains one of the best right-backs around, known for his ability to get forward and link up with the likes of Lionel Messi. Yet like Clyne he is also in top form defensively, with Barcelona’s defence as a whole much improved this season, acting as a unit and keeping 23 clean sheets in the league this season.
The 32 year old has been linked with numerous clubs, such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Juventus, but has been strongly fancied to make a move to England if he does not sign a new deal with Barcelona.
Therefore, with Arsenal and Chelsea strong at right-back, and Manchester United seemingly more likely to sign Clyne, Alves could still be an option for Liverpool in the summer.
Janmaat has been one of few Newcastle players to pull his weight this season
Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle United)
Another one of the cheaper alternatives on the list, Daryl Janmaat has quietly been having an effective season for Newcastle – there are very few who can boast that for the club.
If Rodgers decides to play three at the back this season, everyone above on this list could fit in as a right wing-back with few issues, and Janmaat would be no different.
Again another who likes to get forward, the Dutch international impressed at last year’s World Cup and is right in the prime of his footballing career at the age of 25.
His distribution and use of the ball could be improved, but he has big club experience with Feyenoord in Holland and is having to play in the chaos of the north-east, so his mentality would hopefully cope with the expectation at Liverpool.
Furthermore, he would likely cost between £10-13m and there is little interest elsewhere from other clubs. Only Everton’s Leighton Baines has more assists for a defender in the Premier League.
Janmaat would represent a typical Rodgers signing in scope and realism, and would allow funds to be used in other areas.
Could Barca’s Martin Montoya be on his way to Anfield?
Martin Montoya (FC Barcelona)
Barcelona could be putting two right-backs up for sale this summer, but the one most likely to join the Reds, indeed out of everyone on this list, is Martin Montoya.
At 24, now is the right time for the Spaniard to try a new challenge having failed to usurp Dani Alves at the Catalan club. Able to play left-back as well, he carries the versatility that appeals to Rodgers, and is also extremely quick.
Montoya apparently has a release clause just below £15m, but would likely be available for a fee between £8-10m.
Out of all the right-backs linked with Anfield, Montoya has had the strongest attention, with reports claiming that he wants to join Liverpool and has agreed terms, while Rodgers has been interested in the player since May 2013.
Whilst talks of agreed contracts are probably premature, Montoya does seem to be top of the list for Liverpool, and, in terms of price and realism, is a particularly good fit – a player with more quality, experience and potential than Javier Manquillo, with his loan from Atletico Madrid having not worked out for the 21 year old.
Montoya certainly has the big club mentality, with the only doubts concerning his ability to adapt to the more aggressive and physical Premier League.
Nevertheless, whilst perhaps not the best right-back available, Montoya represents the best value for money and would be worth the risk, allowing more to be spent on more important positions.
Having primarily only included right-backs, next time I will look at another five defenders who could be making their way to Liverpool for the 2015/16 season.
There will be a centre-back – I promise!
