Liverpool could face a battle with Manchester United over the Southampton midfielder while Erik ten Hag agrees fee on Hojlund
Liverpool’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia may encounter a significant obstacle with Manchester United reportedly showing interest in signing the talented midfielder.
In a nutshell
Although Southampton rejected Liverpool’s initial bid for Lavia, negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, wants to
strengthen his midfield options ahead of the first game of the Premier League season with the Reds expected to make a second offer.
However, the emergence of United as a suitor poses a direct threat to Liverpool’s plans. While concrete negotiations between United and Southampton have not yet
taken place, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims (reports the Express ) that the Red Devils have been monitoring Lavia as a potential target.
The delay in negotiations could be attributed to United’s priority of offloading two players, Fred and Donny van de Beek, before pursuing a replacement midfielder.
Scott McTominay could also go.
What happens next for Man Utd
Rasmus Hojlund, 20, will be announced as a United player imminently after travelling to England to complete a medical. The Red Devils have agreed a transfer fee
with Atalanta, paying £64m up front with the rest coming in add-ons, and personal terms with the striker.
United are taking a huge risk with Hojlund due to his modest goal record. The Dane scored just nine Serie A goals for Atalanta last season and remains unproven at
the highest level, although he has scored six times in six senior caps for his country.
Yet former United star Rio Ferdinand is confident Hojlund will be a success in England. The United legend has urged Red Devils fans not to judge their new striker
too quickly, as he’s concerned it could take him a while to find his feet at Old Trafford – just like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool.
Ferdinand said: “I look at it like Darwin Nunez from Liverpool. Last season was his adjusting season. He’s a young striker coming to the league, everything about
him fits the Premier League perfectly, but it didn’t go as well as he would have liked.
“But I think this season, we’ll see a different player for Liverpool… I wouldn’t be surprised if that (a slow campaign) happens with Hojlund, although I’d like him to
have a better season than Nunez obviously. He may well do but it will take time to adjust.
Sofyan Amrabat is identified as another top target for Erik Ten Hag but discussions with Fiorentina have not yet taken place.
Amrabat has continued playing for Fiorentina in pre-season and played in a 4-0 win over Grosetto on Tuesday night. Claims on social media that he declared post-
game to news agency ANSA “I could remain”, have been labelled ‘fake’ by the player’s representatives.
Ten Hag has already bolstered his midfield ranks with the capture of Mason Mount from Chelsea but his options in the middle of the park could still change before
the end of the transfer window. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes were regulars last term, but the new United captain has also been used in wider, more-attacking
roles by Ten Hag when required. Christian Eriksen has also been a key starter since the Dutchman’s arrival.
What happens next for Liverpool
Liverpool, meanwhile, have lost Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League recently. Those are the latest midfield exits after the departures of Naby
Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers.
Klopp is aware of the need to sign reinforcements in the position, saying: “It’s no secret that we’re still looking for new players to join us. That’s one thing but the
other thing is using what you have.”
Brazilian international Andre, who plays for Fluminense, has also emerged as an option for the Reds. Klopp added: “A proven number six is not available in this
moment. Do we make excuses? No, then we would have a problem.
“Over a season a lot of things can happen. If have to see it as a possible challenge and try to find a way to be compact anyway and deny the opponent.”
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Liverpool are readying a third bid to sign Romeo Lavia
As per a tweet from Belgian correspondent Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool are preparing the third and ‘ultimate offer’ to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. It
can only mean that the Reds will make this final bid for the teenager.
It is understood that the latest bid will meet the Saints’ demand of a £40m fee with add-ons supplemented. The 19-year-old has informed the Championship club
that he wants to join Liverpool this summer.
There is a feeling that only the Reds are able to offer such a package for the Belgian international. Chelsea have been linked with him for the past few days as they
struggle to complete the Moises Caicedo deal.
Here’s the text version of what Tavolieri tweeted:
“Liverpool FC ready to make a third & ultimate offer for Romeo Lavia. I understand the bid will meet the 40M£ transfer fee expectations by SaintsFC + add-ons. Player’s side just waiting for LFC to activate but informed the club his desire to join the Reds. There’s a feeling that Klopp’s team are the only squad able to do such offer at that moment. Dialogue remains opens as Southampton FC won’t let leave his biggest sale of the year with the financial impact of a relegation.
Deal still ON.”
Liverpool have seen the first two bids for Lavia rejected by Southampton. The first offer was worth around £37m and the second was in the region of £41m with add-ons.
The 19-year-old was Southampton’s best player last season regardless of the fact that they got relegated. He made his senior Belgian debut back in March.
Following the departure of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool are without a designated defensive midfielder in the squad. Stefan Bajcetic can operate in that
position but he is yet to train with the team after the stress injury he picked up in March.
Jurgen Klopp tried Curtis Jones there in the last two pre-season games and it has not worked. This is no criticism of Jones because he is probably at his best when
operating as an attacking number eight with an eye for a goal or two.
Teams have found it easy to play through Liverpool’s midfield in the pre-season so far. There is a reason why they have conceded 10 goals in four games so far. That
is not a good base to have with the actual season starting in about 10 days. It is high time that the Lavia deal is concluded by the end of this week.
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