‘Embarrassing’ negotiations with Lavia explained as Klopp teases a Liverpool transfer strategy

 

When Southampton turned down

Liverpool’s most recent offer for Romeo

Lavia, it was the third time being

unfortunate.

 

 

Following earlier bids of £34 million plus £4

million in add-ons and a total package of £42

million, the Reds’ most recent offer was for

an overall sum of £46 million. Three of them

were still below the Saints’ £50 million

asking price. While the two teams are in

discussions, it has become an unwanted

drawn-out transfer saga.

 

After all, Liverpool remain without a senior

holding midfielder, following the

unexpected departures of Fabinho and

Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia. With the

start of the Reds’ Premier League season just

four days away, the dragged out nature of

negotiations is a hot topic.

“This is embarrassing,” club legend Jamie

Carragher fumed on Twitter following his

old side’s latest rejected offer. “Liverpool for

years now have got deals done quickly with

no fuss.

Jurgen Klopp hints at Liverpool plan as

Romeo Lavia 48-hour transfer ‘deadline’

emerges

Liverpool face a race against the clock if

they wish to sign Romeo Lavia before the

start of the season and then hand the

Belgian an immediate debut.

The Reds, who open their campaign away at

Chelsea on Sunday 13 August, have seen

three bids rejected by Southampton for the

19-year-old so far. The latest was snubbed

on Monday, totalling an overall package of

£46m, as the Saints continue to hold out for

their £50m asking price.

 

Jurgen Klopp has already added Alexis Mac

Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to his

midfield ranks this summer as part of a

long-awaited engine-room revamp, but

remains without a senior holding midfielder

following the unexpected exits of both

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi

Arabia. Consequently, their pursuit of Lavia

has become more pressing, with the

teenager having already been identified as a

long-term replacement for their now

departed Brazilian.

Lavia was an unused substitute for

Southampton’s Championship opener away

at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night,

while he was left out of the Saints’ matchday

squad entirely for their shock League Cup

first round defeat to Gillingham.