Manchester City Place £15m Price Tag on Liverpool Target – Report

Manchester City are prepared to allow out-of-favour defender Micah Richards to leave in the summer but only if they receive an offer in the region of £15million.

The 24-year-old has been out of action since he damaged his knee ligaments back in October and was only able to return to first team action just under a week ago when he came off the bench for the final few minutes against Wigan.

Richards has only been able to make three starts for Manchester City this season and there is a feeling that he will struggle to force his way back into the side after another excellent season from fellow right-back Pablo Zabaleta.

The England international did start 23 league games last season but the Daily Express believe that Manchester City are now prepared to listen to offers for the powerful defender.

Liverpool were linked with a move for Richards just last week as Brendan Rodgers is desperate to strengthen his defence in the summer when he will lose veteran centre-back Jamie Carragher.

With Carragher retiring, and question marks over the future of Sebastian Coates and Martin Skrtel, it seems inevitable that Liverpool will look to sign at least one new defender during the summer transfer window.

Richards has the ability to play either on the right or in the centre of defence, and may well be a tempting option for Liverpool who have been keen to recruit younger players with international experience.

However, it would remain to be seen whether Liverpool would be prepared to offer as much as £15million for a defender who has struggled to become one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Etihad.

Richards would certainly bring a wealth of experience having played on numerous occasions for England and in the Champions League with Manchester City.

With a starting berth in the City defence difficult to come by, Richards may well consider his future at the end of the season if he wants guarantees of first team football.