Liverpool & Man City eye surprise Romanian defender with £21m release clause

Romanian defender Andrei Ratiu is reportedly attracting interest from a host of top European clubs including Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 26-year-old right back has been a mainstay in the Rayo Vallecano side that is pushing for European qualification in LaLiga. Ratiu has played in all but two of their 29 league matches, scoring twice and providing three assist.

More importantly he is part of a defensive unit with a record bettered only by the top four sides in the division.

According to Sport Bild, Ratiu could be available for just £21million this summer. However - owing to a buy back clause inserted in the deal that took him to Vallecas for less than £500,000 - former club Villarreal can secure his return for just £6m plus 50 per cent of the transfer rights and sell to the highest bidder.

'We are very happy with Andrei here,' Rayo sporting director David Cobeno told DAZN. 'The motto is always the same: whoever wants him has to pay his release clause.

'We're very confident about the future. Time will tell whether he stays with us or whether someone else pays his release clause.'

Ratiu is reportedly an especially appealing option for a number of clubs.

Liverpool are expected to be in the market for a new right-sided full-back as Trent Alexander-Arnold nears a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Arne Slot's men have been linked with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. Should that deal be completed it would necessitate a dip into the market for the German champions.

Barcelona are also believed to be in the frame to nab the defender. It comes after reports of interest from Chelsea in right-back Joules Kounde.

Meanwhile, Man City will be keen to bolster their number in defence, particularly at right full-back after the departure of Kyle Walker, albeit on loan to AC Milan until the end of the season. Pep Guardiola has had to field a host of players out of position this term.