Liverpool to move for French left-back?

It is no secret that Liverpool are after a new left-back. I would have thought that our first signing this summer would have been a left-back as we badly need one. But clearly we have not been able to get the right target yet as the likes of Enrique from Newcastle and Coentrao from Benfica continue to be linked with us but nothing concrete has come up yet.

Today (Friday) reports are suggesting that Liverpool are ready to bid for Arsenal’s French left-back Gael Clichy. We have been linked with Clichy in the past but now it seems like the prospect could turn into a reality as Arsenal will be ready to sell him as he is refusing to sign a new contract.

The figure being banded around for Clichy is £5million. Now judging by some of the fees being paid in the market today, £5million seems like a drop in the water for a French international defender who is turning 26 next month. Comolli would be key if any deal is to be done with Clichy, as he knows him better than most, given that he was instrumental in bringing the Frenchman to London from Cannes in 2003 when he was working under Wenger as Arsenal’s French scout.

In my opinion, Clichy is not the left-back signing that excites me. His form at Arsenal has dipped over the last 3 seasons but then again, maybe a change in environment and a challenge with a new team would raise his game again. The fact that he has Premier League experience with a top team would bode well for us as we will not have the problem of having to wait for him to get adjusted to the English game. In a nutshell, if we can get Clichy for £5million then I would be happy but I would much rather we continue to push and try get Enrique or even better Baines from Everton (although that is a very long shot).