Liverpool target Romeo Lavia has already agreed to leave Southampton this summer
Over the last week, Lavia appears to have become the single focus of Liverpool’s transfer window as they attempt to complete their midfield overhaul.
Southampton are now resigned to losing the 19-year-old, according to Sky Sports.
But it doesn’t mean they’ll let him go for free. With Arsenal and Chelsea apparently interested in signing Lavia, Saints are claimed to be ‘confident’ that they will obtain their full £50 million asking price. However, no team has so far agreed to pay that amount.
Liverpool, according to reports, would need that valuation to take a’significant dent’ in order to make a play for the Belgian. In order to avoid a bidding battle, the Reds are said to be betting on Lavia confirming Anfield as his preferred destination.
Nonetheless, Liverpool is thought to be attracting a lot of attention. They apparently regard the Belgian international as a ‘long-term anchor’ in their squad. Let’s wait and see.
Southampton accepts the departure of Lavia.
After dropping to the Championship, Southampton could never afford to keep Lavia.
Pep Guardiola recently described this player as ‘amazing’ [The Times]. That type of player has no place in any league system’s second tier.
Having said that, it appears likely that Saints will have to decrease their fee expectations.
They may believe it is good value for money for a player with an absurdly high ceiling. In a market where Declan Rice commands over £100 million, you could argue that £50 million for a top talent is reasonable. It will surely encourage them that there are a number of wealthy suitors interested in Lavia.
But there’s a reason why none of these clubs have made a formal contact. Lavia has only played one complete season of top-flight football, no matter how excellent he is or may become.
Some may believe that is a sufficient sample size to assess his potential. In reality, it most likely is. However, £50 million is not little change, especially for Liverpool. The Reds are wise to take their time here in a summer where they can’t afford to make mistakes.
As the opportunity closes, Saints may come to the realization that the asking price is too high.
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DEADLINE: Liverpool can still complete 4 transfers in the next few days.
Liverpool had a quiet January transfer window, but they could yet make some moves today
Despite the fact that the transfer deadline passed last night, Liverpool might still strike four deals today to accept terms with players who are out of contract in the summer. The Reds have had a dismal season this time around, finishing ninth in the Premier League table after winning just eight of their 19 games. And Express Sport looks at the four players they could sign before the summer.
Liverpool desperately needs midfield reinforcements, with Fabinho, Thiago, and Jordan Henderson all unable to have the impact they did last season. Thomas Lemar, a France international, has spent the previous four and a half years with Atletico Madrid after joining the club from Monaco.
However, it does not appear that he will sign new terms in Spain, as Atletico Madrid seeks to reduce their pay cost. And the 27-year-old attacking midfielder possesses all of the qualities required to flourish in England if he decides to join Liverpool.
If a deal for Lemar falls through, Klopp could pursue Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar instead. The 24-year-old came through his current club’s academy and has gone on to score 41 goals and assist 35 times in 224 first-team appearances.
Aouar has been injured during the season and has been in and out of the starting lineup. He would, however, provide Klopp with a new option at the heart of the Reds’ midfield if the German can persuade the midfielder to join the Premier League.
Evan Ndicka’s
Liverpool must also strengthen their defense after struggling to repel opponent attackers this season. Evan Ndicka, who has spent the last four and a half seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt, might be the frontrunner to replace Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
The 23-year-old helped his team win the Europa League last season and appeared in all six of Frankfurt’s Champions League group games this season as the club advanced to the final 16 of Europe’s top club competition.
Ignacio Martinez
Liverpool must also strengthen their defense after struggling to repel opponent attackers this season. Evan Ndicka, who has spent the last four and a half seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt, might be the frontrunner to replace Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
The 23-year-old helped his team win the Europa League last season and appeared in all six of Frankfurt’s Champions League group games this season as the club advanced to the final 16 of Europe’s top club competition.
Ignacio Martinez
Inigo Martinez of Athletic Bilbao could possibly be a target for Liverpool. The 31-year-old, who has gained 19 caps for Spain, has been plagued by knee and foot problems this season but has appeared in almost 350 La Liga games in his career. Martinez earned two caps last year despite not making his country’s World Cup roster. And his club and international experience could be beneficial to Klopp’s squad.
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