Liverpool ready to sanction loan deal before Friday’s deadline

Liverpool could send right-back Nathaniel Clyne out on loan before the transfer window slams shut this week, according to reports.

Clyne has become the forgotten man at Anfield, having damaged his cruciate ligament in the summer, and is out of contract in the summer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has locked down the right-back spot at Liverpool, with Joe Gomez able to fill in when required, meaning opportunities have become even more limited for Clyne.

The 28-year-old has yet to make an appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s men this season and is expected to take up the opportunity to move in the second half of the campaign, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

Clyne spent the second half of last term on loan at Bournemouth and enjoyed regular game time with the Cherries.

It remains to be seen which clubs might be interested in the former Crystal Palace man, but he could well leave Liverpool on loan over the coming week.

Clyne has made over 100 appearances for the Reds since joining the club in 2015.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are plotting a raid on Benfica to land 18-year-old Portuguese starlet Rafael Brito, but will face stiff competition from Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona in the process.

The Benfica teenager has impressed with the club’s B team this campaign, doing enough to be handsomely rewarded with a new contract that inserted a hefty release clause for a player so young.

The £38m price tag indicates just how highly the right-footed midfielder is thought of at the Estádio da Luz, with a host of Europe’s elite teams now taking note.

Portuguese newspaper Record (via the Daily Star) report that the Reds are plotting a raid, with time of the essence due to one specific aspect of the player’s new deal. Read more…