Breaking: Liverpool Edging Closer To Sign ‘Next Fabregas’, Scouts Sent
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Liverpool are firing on all cylinders right now and are arguably the most exciting team to watch in the Premier League this season.
Whether Jurgen Klopp’s men could compete with the best European football has to offer is, though, a question we won’t be able to answer this year with the Anfield club not appearing in European competition.
But, whilst they may not have to come up against the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and co. in 2016/17, that doesn’t mean Liverpool aren’t doing their homework on the superpowers on the continent.
Indeed, according to a report from Sport, the Reds are keeping a particularly close eye on Barcelona. Or, more specifically, four young fringe members of the Catalan giant’s squad.
Per the Spanish publication, Klopp has sent scout Kiko Espinar to watch Barcelona B in recent weeks and the speculation is that four players – Marlon, Nili, Marc Cardona and Wilfrid Kaptoum – could be the ones likely to be on Liverpool’s radar.
So, who exactly are the quartet who Liverpool may choose to pursue over the coming months?
Marlon is a Brazilian defender who was promoted to Barcelona’s first-team squad for their weekend La Liga clash against Granada. He is though actually only on loan in Spain from Fluminense.
A centre-back, the 21-year-old could appear for Barca against Manchester City in the Champions League this week although he missed the team flight this week after forgetting his passport.
Nili, 22, is a right-back by trade but has also appeared on the wing. He spent last season on loan with La Liga side Las Palmas.
Marc Cardona, a striker, is another who has impressed for Barcelona’s second string so far this year, scoring five times in just four appearances for Barcelona B.
Finally, Wilfrid Kaptoum is a 20-year-old midfielder who already has Copa Del Ray and Champions League experience for Barcelona.
Indeed, he showed an eye for goal by scoring against Valencia in the second leg of Barca’s Copa Del Ray semi-final tie.
It remains to be seen what, if anything, comes of Liverpool’s increased interest in the Barcelona youngsters. However, the fact Klopp is sending his trusted scouts to keep tabs shows that he is continuing to build for the future at Anfield.
The German has already emphasised his interest in bringing through the next generation of talent at the club.
Whilst he would probably prefer that talent to come from the areas surrounding Anfield, he surely wouldn’t mind getting his hands on the next Cesc Fabregas.