Rodgers on Barca radar in possible Spanish summer switch

Tabloid reports suggest that La Liga giants Barcelona are targeting Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as a replacement for Gerardo Martino in the summer.

The surprising claims follow rumours that Barca’s current Argentine manager is likely to move on at the end of the season. Rodgers’ incredible achievements with the Reds have certainly attracted interest from around Europe, and his style of play will certainly fit in with the Spaniards’ philosophy.

Liverpool are currently third in the Premier League this term – seven points off leaders Chelsea with two games in hand – and have odds of 5/1 to win their 19th top-flight title.

Rodgers’ Reds have managed an incredible 73 goals in the league this season – more than any other club – and it seems as if the Northern Irishman would be a perfect fit for the defending La Liga champions.

The 41-year-old can already speak Spanish well, following his time in the country picking up coaching skills.

Ambitious Rodgers has certainly built up a great reputation especially at Swansea City, where he got them promoted to the Premier League – the first time a Welsh side had done so.

Rumours of Rodgers’ possible departure will certainly worry Liverpool fans, as he has yet to stay at a club as manager for more than two seasons, following spells at Watford, Reading, Swansea and Liverpool.

He will only have one year left on his contract in the summer and, with the owners still yet to offer a new deal, speculation will be hotting up for the talented young boss.

When recently asked about his future, however, Rodgers seemingly played down a move away: “I am happy here. It is an incredible club – I love being the manager here.

“I haven’t got an agent so I don’t have someone pumping stories out there about me not being happy. There will be plenty of time, come the end of the season, to sit down and talk about a new deal.

Barcelona have lacked their usual dominance and fear this campaign that they’ve enjoyed in recent years and, with a now ageing squad, Rodgers would be the perfect man to breath new life into their team.