Barcelona are keeping a close watch on Liverpool full-back Javier Manquillo with an eye on making a move for him in the future.
The Spaniard joined the Reds from Atletico Madrid last summer on a two-year loan deal and Liverpool have the option to make the move permanent for a fee of around €6m.
The 20-year-old started well at Liverpool and was involved in first team action during the early part of the season, but since Brendan Rodgers reverted to a 3-4-3 system, Manquillo has hardly played any football. He made his last appearance for the club in an FA Cup clash against Bolton towards the end of January.
Though highly-rated at Anfield, Liverpool are still undecided on offering a permanent deal to Manquillo, who has made only 19 appearances in all competitions this season for the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Manquillo’s name is being discussed in hushed tones at the Nou Camp as Barcelona look to identify a long-term successor to Dani Alves at the club.
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With the Spaniard’s loan deal expiring in 2016, Barcelona are in a position to pay the figure required to sign Manquillo on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid next year.
Since the Catalan giants are barred from taking part in the transfer window until next year, the club have the time to further assess the 20-year-old’s performances at Anfield for one more season.
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