Liverpool set sights on LaLiga 2 attacking-midfielder after 26-goal season
Ciaran McCarthy
Liverpool have entered the race for Sergio Arribas, reports Ideal, after the Spaniard scored 26 goals in LaLiga 2 football for Almeria last season.
After finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, the Reds want to recruit this summer. A replacement for Mohamed Salah is a necessity, while links with multiple midfielders are ramping up.
One player who could cover both the midfield and right-wing positions has now cropped up: Almeria man Arribas.
Per Ideal, Liverpool have joined the race to secure the services of the 24-year-old Spaniard, who's reported to be one of the most sought-after players in LaLiga 2.
The Reds are said to be scouring the market for young talents who have the ability to grow and make a difference in their attack, and it's believed Arribas fits into that perfectly.
Liverpool interest is said to intensify competition for Arribas, who has Sporting CP monitoring him closely.
If the midfielder is to move on from Almeria, Real Madrid will be in line for a payment, as when they sold him to his current club in 2023, they inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause.
Whatever happens, it's suggested Almeria will find it difficult to avoid interest from top clubs such as Liverpool.
Arribas' spectacular returns
Arribas has been in stunning form since swapping Real for Almeria in 2023. His first season was in LaLiga, where he scored nine goals and assisted four more.
When the club were relegated, he continued his form, with nine goals - including one in the unsuccessful promotion playoffs - and three assists.
But the season just gone was by far the best of Arribas' career. The attacking-midfielder bagged 25 goals and seven assists in the regular season, and an important goal in the semi-final of the promotion playoffs.
Largely playing as an attacking-midfielder and very scarcely as a winger, the 24-year-old was the division's top goalscorer, with one goal more than Malaga striker Chupe, who will play in LaLiga next season after his side won the promotion playoffs.
Whether Arribas will join him in being a top-tier footballer next season remains to be seen, but interest from Liverpool and Sporting is certainly justified after the season he just had.
