Dejan Lovren emerges as a target for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur
According to the Italian publication La Lazio Siamo Noi (h/t Express), Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are among a number of clubs interested in Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren.
The Croatian ace has fallen down the pecking order following the return of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. It is unlikely he will displace the young Gomez given his performance against Watford.
The self-proclaimed best defender in the world has enjoyed a mixed time at Anfield since making the switch in 2014 from Southampton. He has gone on to make 184 appearances for the Reds and has scored eight goals and five assists.
He famously scored the stoppage-time winner in Liverpool’s come-from-behind win against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield in 2016.
An offer too good to turn down?
Tottenham are keen for the Croatian to replace long-serving defender Jan Vertonghen in the summer. The Belgian’s contract expires in the summer and Jose Mourinho has identified Lovren as a possible replacement.
According to the report, Tottenham will face competition from a number of clubs for the 30-year-old’s signature. Apart from arch-rivals Arsenal, Italian giants Lazio and AC Milan are also keen alongside his former side Lyon.
Lovren’s contract expires in 2021 and the Reds are willing to sell him for £18million. The player is fine with taking a pay cut to leave Liverpool.
The valuation is reported to be agreeable for Tottenham as Mourinho looks to revamp his squad for next season. Although the Portuguese played down the need for a major revamp, defence remains a concern for Spurs. They have kept just four clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
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Lovren is a regular for the Croatian national side and has made 57 appearances for his country. He was a part of the Croatian squad that made it to the finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
