Liverpool to sign former Barcelona kid Juanma

Liverpool are pushing through a deal for former Barcelona youth defender Juan Manuel Garcia Rey (Juanma) after he took up a contract offer.

The 19-year-old, who can play on the left or in the centre of defence, impressed during a 10-day trial with the Reds and providing he passes his medical he will will go straight into Michael Beale’s Under 23 squad.

Commenting on the move, Beale said: “He was at Barcelona so we’ll have a look and see how we go with him.

“He played with Madger Gomes and Pedro Chirivella with Spain so we’re quite familiar with him.

“He’s very versatile and can play in different positions because technically he’s very good.

“I quite like him, he reminds he a little bit of someone like a Pablo Zabaleta-type player, a nice player.”

It is claimed that Liverpool beat off Villarreal to his signature.

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