Liverpool and Atletico Madrid have agreed to terminate the two-year loan deal of full-back Javier Manquillo, after the full-back failed to impress manager Brendan Rodgers during his first season at Anfield.
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This story, which comes to us via the Liverpool Echo and is also being reported by multiple other sources this morning, is still awaiting official confirmation. However, the deal certainly appears to be done and dusted.
Manquillo’s chances were always likely to be limited next season, following our signing of Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton, and it appears that Rodgers prefers Andre Wisdom as the back-up option on the right side of our defence.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who Madrid are now looking to loan out elsewhere according to the source, hasn’t featured at all for the Reds since February – when we were knocked out of the Europa League by Besiktas. He also hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes since December, so in many ways his exit won’t have come as a surprise.
Liverpool could only cut short the deal with Atletico’s permission and that has now been given. The Spanish giants released a statement this morning which is quoted from in the Echo.
They said Manquillo had “not enjoyed all the desirable minutes for his growth in football” and that he had been recalled by “mutual consent”. They also stated that “he will decide in the next few days the club where he will play next season” with another loan elsewhere in Europe set to be finalised shortly.
Rodgers had backed the youngster at the end of last season, claiming he would get further chances in the upcoming campaign, but it seems that he’s had a change of heart and decided it would be best to let him go.
We wish Javier all the best for the future and thank him for his endeavours during his short time with us.