Liverpool linked with £16m move for Italian fullback

If Liverpool are going to spend £16m on a fullback, surely we’ll snap up somebody who’s more comfortable on the left of defence than the right…?

Nathaniel Clyne has the right-back spot with Connor Randall to support him, but Alberto Moreno has no natural backup on the other side – with James Milner used as a utility option to date this summer.

But Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sky Sports), claim Liverpool are lining up a move for AC Milan’s international defender Mattia de Sciglio – who will cost around £16m.

The 23-year-old has been with the Rossoneri his entire career, and is a regular for Italy, too. Although he can play left-back, he’s more comfortable on the right.

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De Sciglio is mighty talented, but he’s only made 85 career appearances due to injury problems, which would initially worry us given our current batch of crocked stars.

Gazzetta are hardly a trusted source when it comes to Liverpool news, so we’ll take this rumour with a pinch of salt for now, as there’s no actual indication Jurgen Klopp wants to bring in a fullback – despite fans crying out for one.

Italians have infamously struggled at Anfield. Andrea Dossena was awful, Alberto Aquilani never settled and Gabriel Paletta didn’t make the grade – although he didn’t become Italian until after leaving Liverpool! The less said about Mario Balotelli the better, Fabio Borini was an expensive flop and keeper Daniele Padelli wasn’t good enough either. If a move for De Sciglio does happen, let’s just hope he does better than the aforementioned six!