Romeo Lavia is Liverpool's top transfer target as they look to fill the midfield hole left by Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. Credit: Action Images/John Sibley
Liverpool have stepped up talks for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and an improvement in offer is imminent.
The 19-year-old is now the center of the club's attention as they seek to fill the void left by Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who will soon leave after accepting lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. An initial £34m offer for Lavia, with an additional £4m based on performances, was rejected last week.
Nevertheless, talks are ongoing, though it remains to be seen how many of Liverpool's latest offer will and will it live up to the Saints' expectations.
Liverpool's desperation for yet another defensive midfielder is clear.
Putting that responsibility on a young player carries an element of risk, especially at such a high cost. But Liverpool have decided that Lavia can become a star within the next 10 years and while they don't believe the current £50m valuation reflects his level of experience, they have no choice but to get much closer to it.
< p>Southampton are in a position where they can exploit a wide interest in the player as Chelsea see him as an alternative if they continue to be hampered by their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Lavia is speculated to prefer a move to Anfield, but Southampton could get a higher bid from Stamford Bridge.
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Klopp, who is currently on Liverpool's pre-season trip to Singapore admitted that it was a matter of urgency to find a suitable replacement for Fabinho.
“We know we need to do something there,” he said. “It's absolutely clear. We are working on solutions, I think everyone can imagine it.”
For much of last season, Liverpool had serious defensive problems that only resolved towards the end of the campaign.
Klopp claims it was more structural than individual, the defense was no longer protected because forwards and midfielders were not protected. pressing and counterpressing, as in the previous six seasons. This left Fabinho exposed and he became the subject of much criticism in the first half of the campaign. He improved as the midfield was restructured and the Trent Alexander-Arnold hybrid role brought more energy and dynamism.
Klopp hinted that the age profile of his new No. 6 shouldn't be a problem if the squad works. that's how it should be.
«If we defend with all the other midfielders, plus three in front, plus the last line, really good, maybe at times I could play no. 6, because then there weren't many needs to be done,” Klopp said.
“Too often we leave too much work for No. 6, which at other times was a little problem. Therefore, for us, this is just a common task.”
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