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Reported Everton and Liverpool target Juan Quintero suffers heartbreaking blow

John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Premier League rivals Everton and Liverpool were only linked with River Plate’s Colombian star Juan Quintero earlier this month.

Juan Quintero of River Plate reacts as he leaves the field after being injured during a match between River Plate and Independiente as part of Superliga 2108

Colombia star Juan Quintero has suffered a brutal cruciate ligament injury just a week or so after being linked with a big-money move to the Premier League.

Don Balon reported earlier in March that Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton have both shown an interest in offering Quintero a chance to move to England for the first time in his nomadic career.

A gifted and rather enigmatic playmaker who is currently in Argentina with River Plate, the report claimed that Liverpool or Everton were willing to trigger the £26 million release clause in his contract.

But Quintero won’t be moving to Anfield or Goodison Park any time soon after a suffering a cruel and particularly ill-timed blow. As reported by Xinhuanet, the 26-year-old former Porto playmaker is now out of action with a cruciate ligament injury – a problem which will keep him out of action for a minimum of six months, although in some cases players have been left on the sidelines for nine.

Juan Quintero of  River Plate injured ball during a match between River Plate and Independiente.  during a match between River Plate and Independiente as part of Superliga 2108

Quintero can forget about getting his big break on Merseyside – he might not play again in 2019.

A Juan Roman Riquelme-style throwback of a midfielder, Quintero enjoyed the best year of his career in 2018, outshining James Rodriguez at the World Cup before inspiring River to a historic Copa Libertadores victory against arch rivals Boca Juniors with a stunning long-range goal.

President of River Plate Rodolfo D'Onofrio (L) poses for a photo with Juan Fernando Quintero of River Plate (centre) after the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores...