Liverpool's search for a right winger has led them to seriously consider a bid for Sevilla's Jesus Navas.
The Reds have filled the vacancy on the left flank with the £20m signing of Stewart Downing from Aston Villa and now want to provide balance on the opposite side of the field in a formation that resonates with traditional English football tactics. With Andy Carroll reminiscent of legendary Bolton and England centre forward Nat Lofthouse, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish wants Navas to reprise the role of Sir Stanley Matthews to supply the bullets to his target man.
The £22m-rated wide man has been identified as a target with two huge positives against his name. Firstly, he is a player of huge talent. A full Spain international, he is consistently one of the best performers in La Liga despite not playing for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. He was pivotal in both of Sevilla's recent UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007 under former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos and was also part of Spain's World Cup winning squad of 2o1o.
Secondly - despite his talent - he is yet to play in the UEFA Champions League. Sevilla reached the eliminator for last season's competition but lost to Sporting Braga in a two-legged tie and with the club only finishing fifth in the Primera Division in 2010/11 he is yet to fulfil that particular dream. Liverpool will not feature in Europe at all next season but their expenditure in recent months belies their ambition to at least finish in the top four of the Premier League in the forthcoming campaign. At 25, Navas is entering the prime years of his career and Liverpool want him to spend those on Merseyside.
However, there is one huge obstacle to be overcome. Navas is afflicted by chronic homesickness, a condition that has prevented him from leaving his hometown of Seville for an extended period. He required treatment in order to facilitate his part in going to South Africa with the national team last year and it is believed that he feels rather more confident about the prospect of living outside of his usual support structure. since that experience.
Although the Spanish influence at Anfield has waned since the departure of Rafael Benitez, Liverpool will try to convince Navas that he will receive all the support he needs should he decide to make the switch.
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