Liverpool are interested in signing Atalanta star Davide Zappacosta, who would likely provide competition for anticipated new arrival Nathaniel Clyne, reports Gazzetta Dello Sport [via the Metro].
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The Italian source report that the Merseyside giants have made an offer for the defender.
The Reds are expected to announce the signing of Southampton ace Clyne after a medical next week according to the Liverpool Echo. However, with Glen Johnson having left the club and Jon Flanagan suffering from a long-term knee injury, it is understandable that Brendan Rodgers is seeking extra cover at right-back.
Zappacosta is the man Brendan Rodgers has his eye on, and he will be known to some English football fans following his part in the Under 21s’ dismantling by Italy at the U21 European Championships 2015. The Azzurrini beat the Three Lions 3-0 to knock them out of the group stages, with the Atalanta man featuring at full-back.
However, this isn’t the only impact that the defender has made at the top level, having played regularly in Serie A over the past year. Last season, the 23-year-old made 29 appearances for La Dea, scoring three goals and helping the team to avoid relegation from the top flight by the skin of their teeth after a 17th-place finish.
The youngster’s performances in the campaign have alerted the Anfield outfit, who have already been very busy in the transfer window. Clyne is expected to be their sixth arrival after James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez, and Roberto Firmino as they look to rebuild after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League last time round.
The Merseyside club will have to fight off Torino and Fiorentina to get Zappacosta, with the Serie A pair also looking to recruit the highly-regarded full-back [Express].