Liverpool are ready to let a 28-year-old leave on a free transfer after his contract expires next season.
The Echo has reported that Jurgen Klopp is happy to let Nathaniel Clyne go the same way that Emre Can, Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge did.
Divock Origi could also be allowed to run down his current deal and depart for nothing next season as Liverpool rip the rule book on players entering the final season of their contracts.
Clyne would prove useful to the squad as he can play at left-back and right-back – two positions in which the side is short of senior options.
More from Rush The Kop
- Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
- Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
- Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
- Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
- Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Moreno has left so that leaves just Andy Robertson as the only left-back in the side, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has little competition for his role behind James Milner (who doesn’t like playing there) and Joe Gomez (who is a central defender).
Clyne was allowed to spend half a season with Bournemouth as Jurgen Klopp granted his request for more playing time, and a few sides have been linked with him this summer – wrote the Echo.
Napoli were interested in Clyne for a while, and he would still be able to be an important first team member for most of the sides in the Premier League.
Klopp prefers for Alexander-Arnold for his ability to attack – something Clyne lacks. He’s an experienced professional with international pedigree, but the former Southampton man is more of a defensive option for the position.
If the 28-year-old was allowed to continue at Liverpool for another season it would let Ki-Jana Hoever develop away from the spotlight while giving the transfer team another year to identify somehow who could provide competition for TAA.
That could be worth more than the fee Liverpool would lose by not selling Clyne now, and shows admirable long term planning once again.