Real Madrid Is About to Finalize the Stellar Signing of Alexander Arnold for the Next Season. Pending official confirmation, Liverpool's right-back will wear the white jersey starting this summer and will do so at no cost.
Florentino Pérez has moved quickly and, according to various reports, has convinced Alexander-Arnold to join the Madrid project. His arrival will mean top-level competition for Dani Carvajal, who has been indisputable at right-back in recent years. With the Englishman in the squad, Madrid would ensure a quality transition on the flank, adding a player with exquisite technique.
Barça and Liverpool Seek Right-Back
Alexander-Arnold's departure leaves Liverpool needing to strengthen their right-back position. The English club has set to work to find a reliable replacement, as they will lose one of their most important players of the last decade.
Meanwhile, Barça is also in the same situation. Hansi Flick wants a right-back who can compete with Jules Koundé. Barça seeks to strengthen the right flank with a more offensive profile and, therefore, could share targets with Liverpool in this market.
Andrei Ratiu Is One of the Targets
One of the names that has appeared on the agenda of both Liverpool and Barça is Andrei Ratiu, a player from Rayo Vallecano. The Romanian right-back has a release clause of 25 million euros, making him a very attractive option for both teams.
Ratiu has proven to be a right-back with great physical deployment, speed, and the ability to join the attack, qualities that fit both Liverpool's and Barça's schemes. His progression in La Liga has put him on the radar of several European teams, and his departure from Rayo this summer seems very likely.
He's Not the Only Signing Both Want
In addition to Andrei Ratiu, another right-back that interests both Barça and Liverpool is Jeremie Frimpong. According to 'El Nacional', both clubs have shown interest in the Bayer Leverkusen player, but the English team seems to be more advanced.
Liverpool would be willing to put 40 million euros on the table to secure his signing, a figure that Barça would hardly be able to match. Frimpong is an explosive right-back, with great offensive capacity and accustomed to playing in a high-pressure scheme, making him ideal for the Premier League.