Liverpool wide man Albert Riera is being tipped to make a summer return to Spain with La Liga side Villarreal eyeing possible replacements for former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires.
The French international, who played for Arsenal for six memorable seasons, has a contract with the Yellow Submarines until the end of the season but looks almost certain to leave the club with retirement a possible option. Keen to fill the void left by the experienced Gallic maestro, it is believed that the El Madrigal outfit have been keeping tabs on Liverpool’s Riera with the 27-year-old a viable target.
Currently outside the top four, in dire financial strife and struggling to keep pace with traditional rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, it is thought that big changes could be afoot at Liverpool with coach Rafael Benitez and several stars deemed possible end of season casualties.
Riera had a storming start to life on Merseyside last season helping Liverpool to 2nd in the Premier League table, their best result since winning the old First Division title in 1991. However, following a poor run of form this term and a series of niggly injuries, it is now understood that the Reds could cash in on a player who cost them £8 million in 2008.
An important member of Spain’s successful European Championship winning side in Austria and Switzerland two years ago, Riera’s reputation is still strong in his homeland, a fact which could see several clubs provide Villarreal with competition for his signature. Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel have all been handed the responsibility of playing in the wide areas this season for Liverpool and could share the roles more permanently next term.