Having lost out (probably) to Chelsea on Moisés Caicedo, a somewhat salty Liverpool have gone back to Roméo Lavia at Southampton, increasing their bid significantly and reportedly agreeing a £60m deal now. Their previous high offer was around £45-46m, before Chelsea jumped in seemingly as a sort-of revenge move after Liverpool jumped into the Caicedo proceedings.
However, much to their potential chagrin, the narrative right now would seem to indicate that Lavia, like Caicedo also prefers Chelsea. We have a £55m bid in, though unclear if also accepted. (Both are above the previously stipulated £50m asking price.) Liverpool now “must convince” the 19-year-old to choose them instead of the Blues project.
As amusing as it would be to win yet another transfer battle against Liverpool, we might be running out of room in the dressing room once again at the rate we’re (still) signing new players. Perhaps we can be satisfied in getting Liverpool to “overpay” in this case.
Chelsea are also trying to sign Lavia and lodged a £55m bid for the Belgian last Friday. But Liverpool’s need for reinforcements in the middle is urgent and they have refused to give up on the player, who wants to leave Southampton after their relegation from the Premier League. Liverpool raised their bid for Lavia on Sunday night, having previously refused to go over £45m.
The worry for Klopp, though, will be that there are indications that Lavia favours a move to Chelsea.
The Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed his move to Real Madrid on a season’s loan after Thibaut Courtois tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
