The summer transfer market may not open for a couple of months, but the rumours surrounding some of the biggest names in Europe are already heating up. One player that looks set to make a decision this summer is Juventus star Andrea Cambiaso.
The right-back was a rumoured target for Manchester City in the winter transfer window, but the clubs couldn’t agree on a fee.
That could leave the door open for Liverpool to bounce this summer, as he is reportedly their top target to replace Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold. But, could a move be feasible for the Reds this summer and would Andrea be enough to strengthen their place in the Premier League betting odds?
Juventus Open to Cambiaso Sale
Juventus may be forced to sell one of their star players this summer for a cut fee after making the huge decision to sack Thiago Motta during the international break. It has been reported in the Italian media by La Gazzetta dello Sport that the decision to sack the coach will leave the Old Lady needing to sell players in order to balance the books.
Manchester City were set to test the Italian side’s stance in the winter, but the clubs couldn’t agree on terms, with the Old Lady demanding a premium price due to the fact that both sides are in the fight for a European finish.
However, reports believe that Liverpool will be on the back foot in the race the defender, as City have already agreed terms with the current Premier League champions. But, the latest rumours indicate that Liverpool will be making their move when the summer window opens, while Bayern Munich could also have a long-standing interest in the star.
Alexander-Arnold Set to Depart the Club
The internet was sent into a frenzy on Monday evening, as it was revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential switch to Real Madrid on a free transfer was edging closer. It is believed that terms are close to being agreed between all parties, and the full-back is expected to complete the transfer when his current deal at Anfield runs down.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure will leave a huge void in the right-back position, with Conor Bradley’s long-standing injury issues not likely to offer the cover needed for Arne Slot’s side. His decision to move to the Spanish capital comes following a miserable period on the pitch for the Reds, as Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League by PSG and suffered an EFL Cup final defeat at the hands of Newcastle before the international break.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision is also the latest Liverpool player that couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play for Los Blancos, following in the footsteps of former Reds legends such as Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, and Xabi Alonso.
How Do The Full-Backs Compare?
Alexander-Arnold’s defensive abilities have long been questioned by fans, with many blaming the right-back for Real Madrid’s winning goal in the Champions League final a couple of years ago.
His vulnerabilities against the best attackers in world football have also seen his England chances limited, with Gareth Southgate even trying the Liverpool man in midfield during last summer’s EUROs in order to get him on the field. So far this season, Alexander-Arnold has played 28 games in the Premier League, scoring twice and registering six assists.
In comparison, Cambiaso has played 20 times in Serie A, scoring twice and registering one assist. The current Liverpool player attempts more shots per game at 1.3, compared to the 0.5 attempted by the Juventus man. Slightly surprising, is the fact that Cambiaso ranks better in terms of pass completion, registering 91.8% compared to 86% for Alexander-Arnold.
Neither player excels in the air, with the Italian winning 0.2 aerial duals per match compared to 0.3 for the Englishman. Despite questions surrounding his defensive abilities, Alexander-Arnold also stacks up well in terms of stats. The Englishman has averaged 2.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, and 1.6 clearances per game in the Premier League this term. In comparison, Cambiaso has averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.3 interceptions, and 0.6 clearances.
Is Cambiaso The Only Option?
Liverpool have been proactive in the summer transfer market for much of their recent history, with the only exception coming last summer after Federico Chiesa was the only player brought in.
However, the potential of Alexander-Arnold leaving the club this summer isn’t new. The Reds would have been aware that this could have been a possibility when his deal was running down, meaning that the club will likely have a number of different options on the table ahead of this summer.
One name that has also been linked with a move to Anfield this summer has been Ola Aina. The Nottingham Forest right-back could be a more affordable option, as his current deal expires this summer. Liverpool have also reportedly shown an interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s wing-back Jeremie Frimpong.
