It looks very much like Nathaniel Clyne is our primary target to replace Glen Johnson at right-back…
After we had a £10m offer rejected a few weeks back, the Mirror report that Liverpool will head back to Southampton with an improved bid, hoping that Southampton will agree to sell us the England international.
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Clyne, 24, was superb in the Premier League this season just gone, and took Johnson’s place at the right of defence for his country.
Now, he might be taking Johnson’s club place, too.
The elder defender has been released by the club on a free transfer, and with Jon Flanagan a long-term absentee through injury, and Javier Manquillo lacking the required experience (and arguably ability), a right-back is a priority this summer.
Clyne shares many traits with Johnson when the latter was in his prime. Both are quick and like getting forward, comfortable on the ball and prefer offensive duties to defensive ones. Clyne’s stronger in the tackle though, and proved last term that he’s better positionally.
If a transfer does go through this summer, Clyne will join the ranks of England internationals among the first-team, with James Milner officially signing on July 1st. Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling are already regulars.