Pranav Nair
Liverpool make first contact for Manchester United target Cristian Romero
According to Sky Sports Italia via HITC, arch-rivals Liverpool have entered the race for Manchester United target Cristian Romero.
United are in the market for a central defender and have been linked with a move for the Argentine star. However thay are yet to make a move to land him. This has nhow paved the way for the Merseysiders to swoop in and understand the defender’s situation.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have already signed French defender Ibrahima Kanoute and could yet add to their defence in the days to come.
Technically, Romero belongs to Juventus, and is on loan at Atalanta until 2022. The Italian media, however, is sure that the latter will enforce the option to buy him in a €16m permanent deal this summer.
Atalanta can then flip him to a new buyer for a considerable profit. According to Italian outlet TuttoSport via HITC, they are demanding €60m for their star defender. Whether United or Liverpool are ready to fork up that amount remains to be seen.
One advantage United can have is the number of centre-backs on Liverpool’s roster. Fitness permitting, Klopp can call upon the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams and Ben Davies. With Kanoute set to be added to that list, it is debatable that the Merseysiders will push for Romero unless they rid themselves of a few defenders.
While Liverpool’s defensive issues last season can be attributed to injuries, United’s is of more pressing concern. We lack a reliable partner for Harry Maguire and cannot afford to go into another season without addressing it. Whether Romero is that man remains to be seen.
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Romero represents a cheaper option than the likes of Jules Kounde and Raphael Varane, who are also on the Red Devils’ radar. Romero is also a full international with Argentina and has so far won two caps. He opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw against Colombia earlier this week.
