Date: 29th November 2013 at 1:04pm
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Liverpool have been heavily linked with a move for Barcelona full back Martin Montoya. Reports go as far as suggesting that Liverpool’s Managing Director Ian Ayre has flown out to Barcelona to try tie up a deal for the Spanish Under-21 international.

Montoya has six months left on his current Barcelona deal and it is being said that he is not happy with the lack of game time he is getting in Spain and would rather leave and join a club where he can play more. It will be interesting to see if Ayre is trying to sign Montoya for a fee in January or he is pushing to get him to sign a deal to join the Reds in the summer for free.

Either way, if Montoya does join Liverpool in January or in the summer, it will prove to an interesting scenario for Brendan Rodgers.

Pros

Montoya is highly talented and still only 22-years old. He has come through the famous Barcelona academy and we all know how many great players they have produced. Montoya is predominantly a right back but is able to play on the left too which would bode well for Liverpool as both Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson struggle with injuries.

As it stands now, Enrique is out injured until the new year and if Montoya were to join Liverpool in January, he could possibly go straight into the side at left back.

Signing Montoya could be seen as a huge coup for Liverpool as we would be getting a player with all the potential to become one of the best full backs in Europe on a free transfer or a nominal fee in January.

There is always talk about ‘strengthening the Liverpool squad’ and a player like Montoya would certainly do that.

Cons

There could be a few challenges in Liverpool signing Montoya. The Spanish full back may not adjust to the pace and demands of the Premier League as we have seen some young Spanish players fail to make the adjustment. But hopefully with the likes of Enrique, Aspas and Alberto around him at the club, they can be able to help him settle in.

Signing Montoya could ultimately mean the likes of Jon Flanagan, Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom will be pushed down the pecking order when it comes to playing in the right back position. Liverpool have worked hard in bringing these players through the Academy and their opportunities in the first team could be limited by Montoya’s arrival.

Montoya’s arrival could signal the end of Glen Johnson’s reign at Liverpool. Johnson’s current Liverpool contract ends at the end of next season and if Montoya signs for Liverpool, FSG may be reluctant to offer Johnson a new big money deal. Johnson is one of the best full backs in Europe today and losing him could be a major blow for the Reds. Although Johnson is already 29-years old, he still has at least two or three good seasons ahead of him in the top flight.

 

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