Liverpool have reactivated their interest in Real Betis defender Aïssa Mandi and want to ‘take advantage’ of his availability on a free this summer.
That’s according to La Razón, who say Liverpool would face competition from Serie A side AC Milan for the centre-back.
They explain the 29-year-old’s future is currently a ‘mystery’, with his contract expiring in the summer and no sign of a renewal as yet.
That would indicate that he will leave the Verdiblanco team on a free in the summer, but Mandi ‘does not rule out extending’ his stay with the Andalusian outfit.
For the moment, though, he is free to negotiate with anyone he likes and both Liverpool and Milan ‘want to take advantage’ of that situation.
The links to Liverpool are nothing new, given he was an option for them last summer and in January, when the Reds were desperate to add someone late in the window.
Now a deal can be done ‘at zero cost’, and that makes Mandi a ‘very attractive option’ for them, although whether he’d want the move is debatable as he wouldn’t be guaranteed regular minutes.
Indeed, if that is a priority for the Algerian, then a move to Milan would make more sense, with it felt he would have ‘more options’ in Italy than on Merseyside.
Thus, Liverpool may have a bit of convincing to do if they are keen on Mandi, with this rumour likely to rumble on for as long as he remains available on a free.
Given the contract situation, talks can start immediately.
