Liverpool are ready to up their game and sign Domagoj Vida from Besiktas, according to Milliyet (h/t Express). The 29-year-old was one of the stars for Croatia as they reached the World Cup final and has seen a lot of interest from the likes of West Ham United and Everton.
The report claims that both clubs had bid for the player but Besiktas are holding out for nearly €30m for the 29-year-old.
Liverpool are now looking to send officials to Istanbul to sign the Croatian defender up, however, Besiktas president Fikret Orman is not going to let the player go all that easily unless Vida himself wants to leave.
Orman was quoted by the Express as saying:
“There are lots of offers for him but that does not mean we will definitely sell him.
“It would be wrong of me to reveal how much has been offered but if Vida wants to leave we will consider the best offer.”
Vida was signed for free by Besiktas and his performances in the World Cup were great. The central defence was a problematic region for us last season and with Joel Matip picking up another injury, this time in pre-season, we might enter the market for a defender.
It would be tough to see Vida starting ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren but the 29-year-old could be a decent back-up for the Reds.
Lovren could convince his countryman to join us as we are on the rise but the lack of regular starts could be the only hindrance for Vida to come to Anfield.
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His €30m tag won’t help the situation either, given that he is 29. Vida is probably on his way out of Besiktas as they would receive a tidy sum for the player but where he lands up is a different story for now.