Liverpool is a £55million star’s desired destination despite gaining interest from a Premier League rival.
Liverpool have been boosted in their hopes of landing Romeo Lavia as the Southampton star still wants to seal a move to Anfield, but journalist Ben
Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT that the dynamic could change for a key reason.
The Reds have spent in the region of £100million ahead of their season opener against Chelsea on Sunday, but boss Jurgen Klopp is seeking further
reinforcements with the September 1 transfer deadline looming.
Liverpool transfer news – Romeo Lavia
According to Sky Sports, Liverpool remain interested in Lavia despite Chelsea being close to reaching an agreement with Southampton.
The report suggests the west Londoners remain in talks with the Belgium international’s current employers, who are holding firm on their valuation
after he made 34 appearances last term.
Liverpool have been desperate to recruit Lavia since the summer window opened for business, but three bids worth up to £45million have
been rejected by Southampton.
Although the Merseyside outfit’s struggles in reaching a compromise with Saints led to Chelsea looking to hijack the move by submitting
a £48million proposal earlier this week, he has remained on the south coast for now.
Uncertainty over Lavia’s future has led to him not being included in Southampton’s matchday squad for their last two fixtures, while he was an
unused substitute when they got their season underway with a win at Sheffield Wednesday.
Saints chief Russell Martin has admitted that the central midfielder is not in the right frame of mind to feature, although a conclusion to the saga is
edging closer with Chelsea aiming to wrap up a £55million deal.
Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GIVEMESPORT that Klopp is eager to win the race for Lavia and mould him into a Liverpool talisman.
What has Ben Jacobs said about Lavia?
Although Brighton & Hove Albion defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo is not interested in joining Liverpool, despite a British-record £111million fee
being agreed, Jacobs understands that Lavia is keen on making the move.
But the respected journalist has warned the situation could change if the Merseyside giants opt to walk away from a potential deal amid Chelsea
upping the ante in their pursuit.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “The thing about Lavia is that it’s not necessarily just a money deal because Liverpool and Chelsea are in the same
broad ballpark.
“Everyone knows that Southampton are looking for £50million or more and, naturally, they may ask for a little bit more if they do have two genuinely
active suitors.
“But the feeling still remains, from sources, that Lavia would quite like to move to Liverpool. With Lavia, the ball is in Liverpool’s court. How do they
respond to Chelsea’s bid? Are they prepared to match it or even go higher?
“If so, I think Lavia is still quite likely to end up at Liverpool. But, obviously, if Liverpool walk away, the dynamic changes.
“We’re going to have to wait and see on that one. But, make no mistake, Chelsea are there for Caicedo. They’re pushing for Caicedo and he has
been their number one target all summer.”
Latest Transfer News: All The Gossip, Every Rumour And Done Deal This Transfer Window
What’s next for Liverpool?
It looks like Liverpool are going to have to accept defeat in their attempts to acquire Caicedo as, according to the Telegraph, Chelsea are on the brink
of sealing a move worth £115million.
The Blues have been working on a deal since the Ecuadorian snubbed the opportunity to join Klopp’s charges, with his sights firmly set on heading to
Stamford Bridge from Brighton.
Chelsea have been chasing Caicedo for a prolonged period and lodged a £100million bid earlier this week, but Liverpool gazumped them.
The 21-year-old’s insistence on wanting to join the capital club instead of heading to Anfield has come as a major blow for Klopp though, making the
acquisition of Lavia even more vital as the Reds look to recover from the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who left
for £13million and £40million respectively.
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