Arsenal ‘join Liverpool in race to sign £ 35m Roma defender Roger Ibanez’ after impressive Brazilian Serie A performances as Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp look to strengthen options their protection
- Liverpool will face competition from Arsenal for Roma defender Roger Ibanez
- The 22-year-old has made a huge impact on his Serie A performances this season
- Brazil has interest from other clubs and is worth £ 35million
Liverpool face rival Arsenal for £ 35million Roma defender Roger Ibanez, according to reports.
The Brazilian midfielder has seen a huge boost back after making his way into Roma’s first team during the restart of the 2019-2020 season and has now secured a place as a regular starter.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are currently in a defensive injury crisis, have been linked with the 22-year-old’s but Calciomercato reports that Arsenal have also asked about the youngster.
Liverpool will face competition from Arsenal for £ 35million Roma defender Roger Ibanez
Jurgen Klopp (left) and Mikel Arteta (right) are looking to strengthen their defensive options
Paris Saint-Germain, Leicester, Tottenham and Everton are said to have expressed interest in Ibanez, valued at around £ 35million.
The defender joined Roma on loan from Atalanta in January with the contract running until June 2021, meaning clubs would have to wait until the summer to make a move for the defender.
There is a stronger need to strengthen Liverpool with Joel Matip to be out for three weeks after becoming the newest defender to pick up injuries.
Brazil’s center back would cost around £ 35million after a good idea this season
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez’s long-term absences mean Klopp is left with Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams and midfielder Fabinho, who has been filling in midfield back.
The Reds have also been linked with Schalke’s Ozan Kabak and Klopp is said to have been ruled out of Milan Skriniar due to a £ 54m Inter Milan price tag.
Mikel Arteta may have to strengthen his defensive options at the end of the season with David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi ‘s contracts set to expire in the summer.
Chad Kolasinac, who is closing in a loan in January to Schalke, could leave the club next year.
The Gunners signed Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer and have beaten midfielder Rob Holding for much of the season.
