Liverpool’s opening offer of £37m for highly-rated midfielder Romeo Lavia has been rejected by Southampton, according to The Athletic.
The Saints value the 19-year-old at £50m this summer. He has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League.
Lavia has already agreed personal terms with Jurgen Klopp’s side and has his heart set on Anfield. He was convinced by Klopp’s long-term project and is hopeful the German can help him become of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
The Belgium U-21 international impressed in his debut season at St Mary’s Stadium where he racked up 34 appearances in all competitions and made two goal contributions.
He moved the newly relegated side last summer from Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s side are entitled to 20 percent of any fee received for his services.
Klopp is keen on revamping his midfield following the exit of Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in June. Jordan Henderson is expected to depart Anfield this week to Al Ettifaq after passing his medical.
Henderson will put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Steven Gerrard’s outfit and earn a weekly salary of £350,000. Fabinho was also expected to follow suit but his move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia is in jeopardy.
It is believed that negotiations and conversations are continuing, with Al Ittihad keen on getting the deal done soon. The delay in the process means that the Brazilian is set to resume pre-season preparations with Liverpool on Wednesday unless a breakthrough can be made in advance.
Liverpool have already signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai and are still in the market to make further midfield reinforcements.
The Merseysiders have been linked with a move for several midfielders including Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
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