Luc Castaignos could join Liverpool FC on loan from Inter Milan. The National reports the Reds would like to sign the 19-year-old Dutch striker on loan, with an option to buy him on a permanent basis.
Liverpool is thought to be looking to bolster its attacking options in the January transfer window. However, the report casts doubts on Inter's willingness to allow Castaignos to leave the club for good. It was just last summer that the Italian giants signed the talented attacker from Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam.
"Inter are receptive to the idea of loaning out the youth international … but are reluctant to negotiate an option to buy in any deal," the report reads.
Castaignos has only made four appearances and scored one goal for Inter this season. His only start came on Sept. 20, and his last appearance came during Inter's win over Siena on Nov. 27.
He may find playing time hard to come by in the second half of the season. Inter has recovered from a disastrous start to the season, and new manager Claudio Ranieri may be reluctant to depend on a young player like Castaignos. The club, now fifth in Serie A, faces the prospect of missing out on next season's UEFA Champions League if it does not overtake its rivals.
The highly rated player is still in the developmental stage of his career. He burst onto the scene last season — his first full campaign as a professional — when he scored 15 goals in 34 Eredivisie games for Feyenoord. Inter signed him from Feyenoord for a reported £3.3 million ($5.1 million).
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Thumbnail photo via Flickr/theseoduke
