Liverpool transfer news: Seville president confirms Liverpool interest in defender Alberto Moreno and reveals club are willing to sell

Liverpool have been linked with a move for left-back Moreno in an effort to strengthen their defence and allow Jon Flanagan to return to his natural right-back position

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 03 June 2014 13:32 BST
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Alberto Moreno has attracted interest from Liverpool over a transfer, Seville's president has confirmed
Alberto Moreno has attracted interest from Liverpool over a transfer, Seville's president has confirmed (Getty Images)

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Liverpool’s interest in Seville defender Alberto Moreno has been confirmed by the La Liga side, with the club’s president Jose Castro confirming that any player wishing to leave the club can do so for the right price.

Reports suggest that Moreno will be on his way to Anfield during the summer for around £15m with current Reds’ squad member Suso possibly part of the deal, and the 21-year-old is available to discuss a move should a fee be agreed between the two sides given that he narrowly missed out on inclusion in Spain’s World Cup squad.

Brendan Rodgers is keen on strengthening his defence after conceding 13 more goals than Premier League champions Manchester City last season – 23 more than third-placed Chelsea – and the left-back position is one that the Northern Irishman is keen on adding to in order to switch Jon Flanagan back to his natural right-back role.

With Aly Cissokho returning to Valencia after completing his season-long loan spell, Rodgers is left with Jose Enrique and Flanagan at left-back, although there are doubts about the former’s fitness after he missed a significant amount of last season with a knee injury.

Castro has had to deal with intense speculation regarding the potential exits of both Moreno and midfielder Ivan Rakitic, and he has now revealed that the club will allow players to leave providing the right fee is agreed beforehand.

“It's true that there's interest from Liverpool and we're waiting to see if that turns into a reality, which right now, it isn't,” Castro said when speaking to the club's television channel.

Castro did however dispel claims that the club were being forced to sell due to financial difficulty – something that has hampered the club in recent years – and that they will not be rushed into any transfer sales.

“What I'm clear about is that we'll not force anyone to stay at Seville,” added Castro.

“Whoever wants to leave can do so, but we'll be the ones setting the prices. This club is experiencing a time of economic stability and we don't need to sell.

“We're going to be firm about this and we'll only consider selling outside the market, which gives us the opportunity to make our team competitive.”

Ivan Rakitic has attracted attention from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid
Ivan Rakitic has attracted attention from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid (Getty Images)

Rakitic, who has emerged as one of Seville’s brightest talents in the past, is currently in talks with the club over a contract extension, but he has garnered interest from clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and champions Atletico Madrid.

Castro went on to admit that he has been left frustrated that the Croatian is yet to sign a new deal, but that there was no doubt that he wants the 26-year-old to stay with the club.

“The contract renewal offer to Rakitic is really important to us, as a part of our budget for the next season,” said Castro. “We want Rakitic to stay so that the team remains powerful, we really want him to stay.

“Rakitic still has a year left on his contract and we'll have to analyse what comes. The truth of the matter is that many months have gone by, since we reached an agreement with him and he's still not signed. We're frustrated about that and I am particularly.”

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