'Pay £21m and he's yours,' Liverpool told about Trent Alexander-Arnold successor

Liverpool have reportedly joined the chase to sign a right-back who is commanding a lot of attention from top European clubs.

With the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold appearing very much in doubt, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot must now plot succession plans.

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Although Conor Bradley is capable of fulfilling the right-back role, he will need some cover given his recent injury record. Some of the names already out there are well-established, including Andrea Cambiaso, Jeremie Frimpong, Lutsharel Geertruida, Vanderson and Wesley.

However a new face has emerged with reports in Romania suggesting Liverpool now want to sign the Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu.

Ratiu in demand all over Europe

Ratiu, 26, has played 27 LaLiga matches this season - scoring twice and adding three assists - leading to transfer links to several of Europe’s top clubs.

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Real Madrid and Barcelona have inevitably been linked with the Romanian international, who is under contract at Rayo until 2028.

Also linked have been Bayer Leverkusen as they seek reinforcements in the event of Frimpong leaving and Manchester City - still looking for a permanent successor to Kyle Walker.

Rayo sporting director David Cobeno revealed over the weekend that any potentially interested teams would need to pay the player’s release clause.

Ratiu rated at £21m

"We're very happy with Andrei here,” Cobeno said as reported by Union Rayo. “The narrative is always the same: whoever wants him will have to pay his release clause."

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That has been reported by Romanian outlet Pro Sport, who detail Liverpool’s interest, as sitting at €25 million (£21m), and could prove to be an attractive price for a Spanish top-flight star who has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season.

Rayo Vallecano, who signed Ratiu in 2023, shares his playing rights 50/ with Villarreal, who are reported to have a €7m option to sign him permanently.

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Ratiu, who was born in Romania but grew up in Spain, emerged from the Villarreal academy before moving on to Huesca and subsequently Rayo.