Liverpool remain in pursuit of Romeo Lavia, but the Reds aren’t finding it straightforward to strike a deal.
The Anfield outfit has submitted three bids, but Southampton have knocked back each of those, as per BBC Sport.
The latest offer from Liverpool for the 19-year-old is believed to have been about £46million, including add-ons.
However, Lavia’s club reportedly wants £50million to part company with him.
After three bids, one of the main worries for Liverpool fans would be that the Reds decide to look elsewhere.
However, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth reckons that there is definitely a deal to be done for Liverpool.
Sheth feels Southampton may be eager for most of the fee to be paid up front instead of in instalments or with add-ons.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth said: “Talks are ongoing, so I think there’s a deal to be done there.
“The fact that Liverpool have made three bids would suggest that they desperately want to bring in the player.
“The latest bid was around £45million all in, including add-ons.
“Even though that’s only £5million short of what Southampton are standing firm on, we haven’t really got all the information on how that deal would have been
structured.
“If Southampton are standing firm on £50million, they might actually have another caveat to say they want the majority of that £50million paid up front, followed
by the performance-related add-ons.
“They would also want those performance-related add-ons to be achievable, but the fact that they’re still talking would imply that the deal is there to be done.”
Our view
It feels like this transfer has been going on for ages now, and Liverpool haven’t yet made a breakthrough.
That said, Lavia is Southampton’s player, so they can request whatever price tag they want for the ‘world-class‘ talent.
Also, they’re in a strong position due to the player’s contract until 2027. So Liverpool haven’t got much leverage.
Nonetheless, Lavia certainly seems like he’d be worth £50million due to his age, talent, ceiling and Premier League experience.
He has shown he has what it takes to shine in the Premier League, having done so last season despite playing for a struggling club.
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Liverpool might have just reignited interest in ‘phenomenal’ £60m midfielder
Liverpool are still reportedly interested in signing OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram despite rumours that the Reds have given up their pursuit for the 22-
year-old.
According to FC Inter News, the Reds are still in the race for the French international, alongside Inter Milan and Juventus as Thuram currently looks set to remain
in Ligue 1 next season with Nice.
Lauded by French football expert Jonathan Johnson as a ‘phenomenal’ player, Thuram looked like a player Liverpool were ready to chase all summer after a
breakout year last season.
However, interest in the midfielder has significantly cooled down, seemingly in large part to Nice’s reported £60m valuation of Thuram this window. Yet Liverpool
could now be back in the picture.
The Reds have struggled massively to add a third midfield signing this summer, with Romeo Lavia no closer to joining Liverpool having had three bids rejected for
the Southampton man in recent weeks.
And as a result, Thuram could now be back on Liverpool’s agenda, with Nice potentially open to lowering their £60m asking price for the 22-year-old prospect.
Liverpool should really consider move for Thuram
It feels like a lifetime ago when Thuram was the talk of the town in Liverpool circles, yet fast-forward to now, and the midfielder could again be a real option for the
Reds this summer.
With a deal for Lavia potentially on the brink, Thuram could emerge as an ideal alternative to the Belgian international, with the Nice star one of the most exciting
talents in all of Europe.
Moreover, if Liverpool can haggle Nice’s asking price for Thuram down by some margin, there’s a good chance that the Reds can go all-out and signing the
Frenchman for a good price this window.
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