Liverpool have been joined in the race to sign Barcelona winger Jeffren by Spanish side Sevilla after the Catalan giants revealed that the midfielder was surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou.
The attacking midfielder’s profile was raised after he helped the Spanish Under-21 side win the European Championships with his impressive displays drawing interest from a number of clubs.
The Venezuelan-born midfielder has struggled to break into the Barcelona first team and realises that there are a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order such as Pedro, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.
With Barcelona also trying to sign Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez the club are desperate to get rid of some of their fringe players and could accept a relatively low offer for the attacking midfielder.
Jeffren would be a cheaper option for Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish as it is believed that the 23-year-old would only cost in the region of €4m.
Several sources appear to believe that Liverpool may be willing to make a move for Barcelona winger Jeffren as a more cost effective alternative to Stewart Downing or Juan Mata, with both Aston Villa and Valencia wanting around £20m for their wingers.
Clearly Jeffren has less experience but could prove to have more sell on value if the Venezuelan born Spanish Under 21 international fulfills his undoubted potential. Barcelona are after a quick sale and this source believes that means Pep Guardiola could accept as little as £3.5m for the youngster.
Though far from being a first team regular at the Nou Camp, Jeffren has found himself becoming more of a regular presence in Guardiola’s plans of late, making 31 apperances over the past two seasons across all competitions.
The speedy winger also fits the criteria of Liverpool’s new owners who are willing to invest in youthful additions hence their forking out of funds to sign Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, all 23 years or age or under.
