Liverpool Faces Setback in Search for New Right-Back Following Fabrizio Romano Update
With just six weeks remaining until Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United, there’s still much work to be done.
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So far, Liverpool has secured two signings, including Jeremy Jacquet, who joined from Rennes for £60m, and Victor Munoz, who was signed from Osasuna after activating his £34.5m release clause.
Nevertheless, significant decisions remain. The club is keen to add another forward, and a new defender is also anticipated following the exit of Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid.
A specific focus has been on acquiring a new right-back, a notable gap in Liverpool’s lineup from last season. Jeremie Frimpong struggled to acclimate after his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. Additionally, Conor Bradley endured a season-ending injury during a match against Arsenal in January, forcing midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones to be deployed as makeshift right-backs.
One player heavily linked to Liverpool has been Brentford defender Michael Kayode. The 21-year-old stood out last season as Brentford narrowly missed out on European qualification.
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However, a transfer for the Italian player now seems unlikely following Fabrizio Romano’s recent announcement.
Kayode Completes New Contract with Brentford
According to a post from Romano on X, Kayode has signed a new six-year contract with Brentford.
Romano stated: “EXCLUSIVE: Brentford has secured a new deal for Michael Kayode valid until 2032!”
“All agreements are in place as Brentford makes a significant move to retain one of the most sought-after right-backs available.”
“The 21-year-old Italian talent excelled last season and is a key part of Brentford’s plans, as confirmed by club sources.”
Potential Alternatives for Liverpool
Liverpool has a list of alternative targets they are evaluating. We previously reported that initial discussions had taken place regarding Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu.
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Another name that has been floated is Marco Palestra, but he has since joined Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Guela Doue from Strasbourg has also been mentioned as a possibility after a series of impressive performances for Ivory Coast during the World Cup. However, there are currently no solid reports regarding it.
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has also been mentioned as a target, but Liverpool has yet to take action despite his availability this summer.
Photo: IMAGO
As it stands, Liverpool will start the new season without a prepared right-back.
While Jeremie Frimpong is the nearest option, he leans more towards a winger role than a traditional full-back. Joe Gomez could fill the role, but concerns linger regarding his injury history.
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It will be fascinating to observe how Liverpool manages the right-back conundrum, as it represents a significant vulnerability in Andoni Iraola‘s squad.