Liverpool targeting 'the next Ashley Cole' to succeed Andrew Robertson in a huge statement move from Jurgen Klopp – with Manchester City and Juventus both interested in the wonderkid, too: report
Liverpool could beat European giants to a highly-rated wonderkid left-back, as Jurgen Klopp looks to the future of his side
Liverpool are targeting a player compared to Ashley Cole – but they'll face stiff competition from Europe's elite.
The Reds have relied on Andrew Robertson since his move from Hull City in 2017, with the Scotland captain becoming one of the best left-backs in world football under the mentorship of Jurgen Klopp. Kostas Tsimikas has been a valuable understudy but never seemed likely to supplant Robertson as first-choice.
But with the Scot now 29, Klopp is looking forward to the future – and might be about to make a huge coup.
Italian publication Calciomercato, via Sport Witness, are claiming that Argentine wonderkid Valentin Barco is on the radar of the Reds.
Barco is courting the finest in the world at current. Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Juventus are all said to be interested in the left-back, who bears a similarity to Ashley Cole in his game.
The teenager is extremely comfortable both going forward and backwards, earning plaudits for his intensity out of possession and maturity.
The Argentine's employers, Boca Juniors, may be tempted to sell soon, too: the defender is out of contract in December 2024.
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Barco is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €10 million.
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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.