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Liverpool in talks to sign Barcelona star

Martin Montoya's contract expires at Barcelona next summer © Getty Images

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Liverpool are in talks to sign Martin Montoya from Barcelona in January as manager Brendan Rodgers seeks to strengthen his defence, a source told ESPN.

The former Spain Under-21 international, who can play in either full-back role, is out of contract at the Nou Camp next summer.

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre visited Barcelona on Thursday to discuss a permanent deal. Montoya, a product of Barcelona's youth system, has seen his opportunities restricted by Dani Alves at right-back, and by Adriano and Jordi Alba on the left.

All three were injured in midweek, allowing the 22-year-old to play in Tuesday night's 2-1 Champions League defeat away to Ajax, but he remains coach Gerardo Martino's fourth-choice full-back.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants another defensive option after losing left-back Jose Enrique until February with a knee injury.

Rodgers signed Aly Cissokho on a season's loan from Valencia in August to provide cover for the role, but chose to play Jon Flanagan - primarily a right-back - on the left last Saturday as Liverpool drew 3-3 at neighbours Everton in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, young Liverpool forward Adam Morgan has joined Championship side Yeovil.

The 19-year-old has moved to Huish Park initially on loan, but the deal will be made permanent in January.

Morgan was part of the Liverpool squad that toured North America in the summer of 2012, scoring his only senior goal for the club in a friendly against Toronto.

He went on to make three competitive appearances in the Europa League last season, figuring in both legs of a play-off against Hearts in August 2012, as well as in a defeat to Anzhi Makhachkala in November that year.

Midfielder Craig Roddan, 20, has joined League One side Carlisle in a loan deal that will also become permanent in January.

Swedish teenager Kristoffer Peterson, a 19-year-old midfielder, has joined Tranmere, also in League One, until January on loan.

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