Liverpool: First Summer Signing Secured?

A number of reports are suggesting Liverpool have reached a deal to sign Chilean international Manuel Iturra in the summer...

TalkSPORT are among the media outlets who are suggesting that Malaga midfielder Manuel Iturra will make a move to Anfield when his contract expires in the summer.

The UK radio station references Portuguese newspaper A Bola and Italian website Calciomercato as sources behind the claims that the 28-year-old is an impending Liverpool player.

Iturra has had a somewhat nomadic career since moving to Europe in January 2011, having already played for three different clubs during his short time on the continent.

Initially, the former Universidad Chile player joined Portuguese outfit União de Leiria before moving to Spanish second division side Real Murcia on loan a few months later.

After that temporary switch had ended, his contract back at Leiria was terminated and Iturra joined Malaga as a free agent this past summer on a one year contract.

That deal is now also nearing an end and, following some impressive performances in both La Liga and the Champions League, a number of clubs are allegedly monitoring the situation.

Iturra, a combative midfielder with a decent range of passing, has won 34 international caps to date and his solitary goal came in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland back in May 2006.

Vital Verdict
Despite his less than flattering CV and the fact he is by no means an automatic starter for Malaga, Iturra could be a solid signing for the Reds; he is on a free and would bring some experience to a youthful squad. Although, given our recent experiences with Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic, even signings that cost nothing can prove to be expensive mistakes. His signing would put a question mark over the likes of Jordan Henderson with the club already having a number of central midfielders on its books.

Likelihood (out of 5):




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