Liverpool have agreed a £12.5 million move for Southampton star Nathaniel Clyne, according to the Liverpool Echo.
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However, was the England international the best right-back that was on the market? Here are five who the Reds could have gone for instead.
Would any of these players have been an upgrade on Clyne?
Comment below and let us know.
5) Martin Montoya, Barcelona
Hardly a regular at the Nou Camp, the 24-year-old made 11 appearances last season.
With The Guardian revealing that Dani Alves has signed a new contract it looks like Montoya needs to leave to get some game time, and the Daily Telegraph had linked the Reds to his signature.
Montoya is able to pass the ball well and has great technical ability, not least because of his La Masia roots. Would he be a better bet than Clyne?
4) Kieran Trippier, Tottenham (formerly Burnley)
He may have now signed for Tottenham Hotspur, but the Merseyside club could well have swooped beforehand.
The 24-year-old played every single game for the Clarets last time round, proving that he can make it at the top level and had been linked to the Reds by the Metro.
Could Spurs have stolen a march on their rivals for the top four here after signing one of 2014-15’s most impressive full-backs?
3) Micah Richards, Aston Villa (formerly a free agent)
Having been a free agent after leaving his contract at the Etihad Stadium, the defender could have been a cheaper option in the position.
Having experience at the highest level with England and Manchester City, it is unlikely the defender would have been too error-prone in the Premier League.
Aston Villa secured the international in the end, and it could well be that he does well enough there to earn a move back to one of Europe’s giants.
Liverpool had been interested according to the Daily Star.
2) Maxi Pereira, Benfica
Both Stoke City and FC Porto are interested in signing the Uruguay international according to the Stoke Sentinel.
However, should the Reds also get involved?
Well-known for his ‘hard-man’ image, the 31-year-old could have added some steel to the team even considering his advancing years.
1) Gregory van der Wiel, Paris Saint-Germain
Linked to fierce rivals Manchester United by the Metro, the only doubt over Liverpool trying to sign the Netherlands international would be their ability to entice him to Anfield.
The Dutch international may have been tempted to quit the Parc des Princes following Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to make Serge Aurier’s loan move from Toulouse a permanent transfer. The Ivorian full-back was a rival for van der Wiel last year, and looks set to usurp him next season.
Van der Wiel is a top-class defender, and if he wasn’t put off by their lack of Champions League football would surely be an upgrade on Clyne?
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