Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has got his first summer signing all sewn up – subject to a medical. Liverpool’s official website confirmed the news today that, “Gabriel Paletta will join the club this summer, subject to a medical. Atletico Banfield centre-back Paletta, who is 20 tomorrow, has agreed a four-year deal with the Reds.”
Paletta was originally due to fly to Liverpool at the weekend to talk personal terms and undergo a medical, according to statements put out by Banfield. When this didn’t happen Banfield then claimed that the deal was on but on hold until the summer. What has finally happened is that Paletta has agreed personal terms without the need for a trip to England, and his medical will of course be more valid once the player has completed the rest of the Argentine season.
Paletta is described by the official site as, “A star player in Argentina’s under-20 World Championship triumph in 2005, the highly-rated youngster is regarded as a strong, decisive and robust defender.”