Liverpool are set to watch another defensive transfer target join a Manchester club this summer with reports surfacing that Manchester United are “nearing a verbal
agreement” for Bayern Munich Pavard.
Jac Talbot reports on Twitter that reports in Germany – specifically a claim from journalist Philipp Kessler – suggests United are “nearing a verbal agreement” with
Pavard over a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Three weeks ago, German football expert Christian Falk claimed that Liverpool were in talks with Pavard’s “management” over a move to take him to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp wants two new midfielders as well as a new centre-back to suit Liverpool’s new hybrid formation which sees the Reds in a 3-2-2-3 shape. Pavard
would have been an ideal candidate with the Frenchman comfortable with both feet, excellent at both centre-back and fullback and can pass as well as most centre-
backs.
However, with United seemingly close to agreeing personal terms with the £116,000/week defender, it appears unlikely Klopp will be able to bring him to Liverpool
this summer which is disappointing.
Who could Liverpool sign in stead of Pavard?
If Pavard is no longer an option and Liverpool aren’t going to sign an elite level target like Josko Gvardiol, who just joined Man City, sporting director Jorg
Schmadtke needs to find an amazing bargain.
From Italy, Calciomarcato claims Liverpool are interested in bringing Torino centre-back Perr Schuurs to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old would cost Liverpool €40 million but is an exciting prospect. Not only is he incredibly tall (6 foot 3), he’s rapid for his size and is incredibly capable on the ball.
As you’ll see in the YouTube video below, he times when to step up and intercept an attacker to perfection on most occasions.
Whether Liverpool will pay €40 million (around £34m) when they’ve been locked in negotiations with Southampton for so long remains to be seen.
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Liverpool: Southampton could make “another” Lavia request to Klopp
A deal for the Southampton midfielder is “there to be done.”
Liverpool “desperately want” to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, with a deal now “there to be done”, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
What’s the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?
The Reds’ pursuit of Lavia continues to drag on, with the Saints recently knocking back a third bid in the region of £45m, as they are thought to be standing firm on their £50m valuation, given that he has four years remaining on his contract.
Southampton boss Russell Martin has now claimed he does not expect any departures before the weekend, which suggests the 19-year-old will not arrive at Anfield before the Reds’ first Premier League game.
Martin said: “I don’t envisage anything changing between now and the weekend, but it’s football, right, so anything can happen.”
There have been reports that Liverpool have already tabled a fourth bid for the midfielder, with journalist Ben Jacobs claiming they have already made an “improved” fourth offer, although it is unclear if they are willing to match the Saints’ asking price.
In a recent interview with GiveMeSport, Sheth has now provided an update on the Reds’ pursuit of the Southampton star, in which he suggests they are still in a very good position to sign him this summer.
The Sky Sports reporter 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.”
What type of player is Romeo Lavia?
It appears as though the starlet is being targeted as a like-for-like replacement for Fabinho, as he is a defensive midfielder, making 60 tackles for Southampton in the Premier League last season, the third-highest amount of any player in the squad.
The youngster’s former teammates are well aware of his quality, with Nathan Redmond lauding him as “unbelievable”, while Oriol Romeu, now of Barcelona, also gave him high praise, saying: “Romeo was a talent, if you’re that young and playing that well, you’re going to be special.”
There have been a number of key departures for Jurgen Klopp’s side this summer, particularly in midfield, with six central midfielders leaving the club, including club captain Jordan Henderson, while only Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have been brought in.
As such, it is vital that Liverpool strengthen their midfield soon, with their first game against Chelsea pencilled in for this Sunday, so it is good news that Southampton are still open to letting Lavia go, and they should try and wrap up the deal as soon as possible.
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