Rumour: Liverpool open talks with Barcelona's Martin Montoya

Martin Montoya

Liverpool have made the first move to sign Barcelona defender Martin Montoya after the Reds opened talks with the Nou Camp youngster. Montoya is out of contract in the summer and Barcelona look ready to offload the La Masia graduate in January.

Talks have been ongoing between Montoya and Barcelona with the 22-year-old keen on staying at the club but Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre has flown out to discuss a potential fee.

Capable on both sides, the versatile Montoya has not progressed the may many had anticipated at Barca. Despite frequent injuries at the back, Montoya has been frustrated on the bench, making only seven La Liga appearances so far this season. His playing time looks set to decrease further with the return of Jordi Alba imminent.

Brendan Rodgers, a keen admirer of La Liga after signing Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and trying to poach Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid during the summer, is hopeful of securing Montoya to fill the gap at left-back. Jon Flanagan impressed during the Merseyside derby on Saturday but Rodgers wants a more experienced and first-choice full-back, especially as Aly Cissokho is only on-loan at Anfield.

Montoya played just 15 times last season under Tito Vilanova and a number of managers are rumoured to have been disappointed with the youngster’s application in training.