<\/p>\n
Liverpool<\/a> have expressed interest in signing Romanian right-back Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano this summer, according to reports via TEAMtalk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite the significant investment made last summer, recurring injuries to several key first-team players have frequently forced Arne Slot to field available squad members in unfamiliar positions.<\/p>\n The right-back position has been especially affected since Conor Bradley suffered a season-ending injury in January, while Jeremie Frimpong has already spent 117 days on the sidelines since joining Liverpool, missing 25 matches as a result.<\/p>\n Consequently, the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and even Wataru Endo have all been called upon to operate at right-back whenever the club\u2019s specialist options have been unavailable.<\/p>\n The Reds have now begun assessing dependable natural fullbacks this summer and have previously been offered the chance to sign Inter Milan\u2019s Denzel Dumfries<\/a>, who has since signed for Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n It appears Liverpool have identified another option, as TEAMtalk<\/em> cite Anfield Index<\/em> as reporting that Andoni Iraola\u2019s side have expressed interest in signing Vallecano\u2019s Ratiu this summer.<\/p>\n The Merseyside club are also set to trigger the 28-year-old\u2019s \u00a321m release clause and are even more optimistic of agreeing a cut-price deal to sign the fullback this summer, according to the report.<\/p>\n However, the Reds face stern competition from Barcelona<\/a>, as per the report, which claims the Spanish champions are also \u2018keen\u2019 on signing the Romanian international this summer.<\/p>\n Liverpool have already moved swiftly to strengthen their squad, completing a quick deal for Victor Mu\u00f1oz from Osasuna and beating Newcastle United<\/a> to the winger.<\/p>\n The Spaniard joins Jeremy Jacquet among the club\u2019s summer arrivals, but their recruitment drive is far from over. The Reds are also preparing to launch a second bid after seeing their initial \u00a386m offer for Yan Diomande rejected by RB Leipzig<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ratiu is now being pursued as a potential option to bolster their right-back position, which has been heavily plagued by injury.<\/p>\n The Romanian has enjoyed a rapid rise over the past year and has become a regular starter for Vallecano.<\/p>\n His game extends well beyond the responsibilities of a conventional fullback. He frequently makes intelligent forward runs and is particularly effective when drifting into central areas to exploit space.<\/p>\n Signing a player of his quality for less than \u00a321m would be a shrewd piece of business, but first they will have to ward off competition from Barcelona.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRatiu to Liverpool<\/h2>\n
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