Liverpool look set to miss out on the signing of Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, according to reports in Mirror Sport.
The Reds have been extremely active in the transfer market so far this summer and completed their seventh signing on Wednesday night as Christian Benteke’s £32.5million move was confirmed.
However, any plans to make Bartra the eighth arrival on Merseyside appear to be dead in the water following claims in Italy that the young Spaniard is close to joining Serie A outfit Napoli.
The 24-year-old has failed to nail down a regular first-team spot at the Camp Nou since being promoted into the senior squad in 2010 and faces a battle in that department from Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen in the upcoming season.
Brendan Rodgers had been reportedly interested in bringing Bartra to Anfield in a bid to bolster his defensive options after various problems in that position last season.
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