Klopp wants final answer from Liverpool midfielder, with £50m replacement transfer against the clock
Romeo Lavia battles Liverpool man Fabinho.
Liverpool are planning to clarify the future of Fabinho “this week” before they attempt to sign a new midfielder, with £50million-rated Romeo Lavia top of the list.
Midfield moves have been part and parcel of the Reds’ summer window. They saw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner leave on free transfers, and it appears they’re soon to be hit with the explosive exit of club captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq.
More permanent midfield exits could go through this summer, as Fabinho is the subject of interest from Al Ittihad, with that move seemingly advancing well.
That’ll mean midfield reinforcements are required, with the centre of the park having been gutted. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have both come through the door, and could soon be joined by Southampton midfielder Lavia.
The Saints man has been a target of Liverpool’s, as well as the majority of the Prem’s biggest names, for months. The move to Anfield is one that could be nearing, and while it’s not directly influenced by the potential exit of Fabinho, insider Ben Jacobs states the Reds want an answer on his future sooner rather than later.
“This week, they will clarify that [Fabinho’s future], and then they will sign a new midfielder. In any case, Liverpool want to sign a midfielder,” Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT.
A £40million fee has been mooted for Fabinho’s move to Saudi Arabia. That takes care of a chunk of Lavia’s asking price, and while Liverpool aren’t too happy about what they’ll have to pay, shipping Fabinho out could be the catalyst for them to do so.
“Romeo Lavia is one of the names they have on the list. They’re not super happy about the asking price. It’s something close to £50m, asked from Southampton. They want to pay way less than this for Lavia,” Jacobs added
“They are also aware of the interests of other clubs, including Chelsea. So, this is why the Lavia situation is not that easy, but for sure, he is one of the names on the list.”
It seems they’ll need to recruit a new midfielder or two if both Fabinho and Henderson are to leave, so even if it’s not Lavia, it’ll be a massive surprise if somebody isn’t signed by Jurgen Klopp’s side soon.
