Southampton reject second bid from Liverpool for Romeo Lavia
According to James Pearce for The Athletic (subscription required), Liverpool witness their second bid worth around £41m for Romeo Lavia rejected by Southampton.
A few days ago, David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed that Southampton rejected the first bid of £37m because they are holding out on £50m if the player is to be sold this summer.
Personal terms are not an issue because the Belgian international is keen on a move to Anfield if the clubs agree on a fee in the coming days.
Liverpool feel that the improved bid was made keeping the player’s age and experience. The club would look at alternatives if Southampton do not budge with their valuation for the midfielder.
It seems as if the Reds won’t touch the £50m mark with their bid. It might come down to tight negotiations from both parties. Southampton are naturally under no pressure to sell Lavia below the asking price unless the player forces a move away.
Among the alternatives, Liverpool are looking at the possibility to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre. Paul Joyce of the Times reports that £20m might be enough to tempt the Brazilian to sign for the club.
It is an interesting time of the window when clubs have to get their business right and done quickly. The new season starts in less than two weeks. Signing players after the start of the season doesn’t help the cause for the few games at the least.
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For Liverpool, knowing that we do not have a defensive midfielder in the squad, it is imperative that a player of that profile comes soon. The club are taking a lot of time with this, probably careful of not to overspend on a transfer. But, they are now in a situation where paying a bit extra to get the deal done would not be the end of the world.
