Liverpool are reportedly set to go head-to-head with AC Milan in pursuit of Vfl Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez in the summer
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Ricardo Rodriguez is set to be the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between Liverpool and AC Milan, with both clubs interested in signing the Swiss defender from Vfl Wolfsburg in the summer transfer window.
Rodriguez has been an instrumental figure for Wolfsburg ever since he joined them from FC Zurich in 2012. This season has been disastrous for Die Wolfe, the Switzerland international has been one of the few bright sparks for them, turning in consistent performances for large parts of the campaign.
Liverpool are set for a ‘tug of war’ with AC Milan for Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez. #LFC pic.twitter.com/wJ7Pvv1d58
— Anfield Express (@AnfieldExpress) May 14, 2017
However, injuries have significantly hindered his campaign, as Rodriguez has managed to play just one game in the last two months. In all, he has amassed 27 appearances across all competitions this season, and has also chipped in with two goals and three assists.
Having been one of the most consistent full-backs in Europe in recent seasons, the player has been tailed by several clubs. This season, the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Inter Milan have been heavily linked with Rodriguez, but Liverpool and AC Milan have now become the front-runners in the race to sign him.
At Liverpool, defence has been a major area of concern for Jurgen Klopp. In fact, the failures at the back have often been identified as one of the primary reasons that the club failed to mount a sustainable challenge for the Premier League this season.
The left-side in defence, in particular, has been a problem area with Alberto Moreno’s unimpressive performances forcing the Liverpool boss to play James Milner in a makeshift left-back role.
While Milner has been consistent as a left-back, he is on the wrong side of 30 and is unlikely to be shoulder the burden of being the first-choice left-back in all four competitions that the Reds play in next season. That’s where Rodriguez comes in, as his addition can provide Klopp with two consistent options for the left side of defence.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are eyeing a defensive overhaul in the summer, following the arrival of the club’s new owners, the Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux. The Italian heavyweights are set to address the heart of their defence with the reportedly impending recruitment of Mateo Musacchio, and have now turned their attention towards Rodriguez.
With Matia De Sciglio being heavily linked with a summer exit from San Siro, Rodriguez could prove to be a top notch replacement for the Italian full-back. The report suggests that Wolfsburg are only willing to do business if a suitor meets his £18.5 million valuation.
However, Liverpool as well as AC Milan are adamant that they will not shell out the amount for Rodriguez. It now remains to be seen if Wolfsburg agree to lower their asking price or if the two European giants turn their sights elsewhere to address the problem position in the summer.
