Iraola wants to take Ratiu to Liverpool

Rayo Vallecano

The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold a year ago left a wound that has yet to fully heal, and Andoni Iraola wants to address it during this transfer window.

The Spanish coach believes the squad needs a specialist for that position, and one of the names that has gained the most momentum is Andrei Ratiu. The Romanian international comes off a very solid season with Rayo Vallecano, and his consistency in LaLiga has drawn the attention of several major clubs.

At 28 years old, Ratiu, he is going through one of the best moments of his career. He was a key piece in the impressive campaign of the Madrid side, which finished among the best teams in the competition, and he stood out both for his defensive work and for his ability to get forward into attack. He also brings extensive international experience with the Romania national team.

The deal could be more attainable than other options the Liverpool are considering, because his release clause, set at 25 million euros, is a figure they at Anfield consider manageable for a player who can deliver immediately. There is even the possibility that a direct negotiation with Rayo could slightly lower the final transfer cost.

Neither Jeremie Frimpong nor Conor Bradley has been able to provide all the guarantees the club expected. The Dutchman has not fully settled into the role, while the academy graduate's recurring physical niggles have forced the coaching staff to look for emergency solutions for much of the season.

The interest in Ratiu also fits the style the new coach wants to implement at Anfield. Intensity, high pressure, steady tempo and the importance of full-backs are key concepts in his proposal. The Rayo defender ticks several of those boxes and also has enough experience to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League.

Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the player as a possible alternative to strengthen the right flank. However, in England they believe the sporting project and the role he would have in Iraola's plans could work in favor of the reds.