Liverpool midfielder deal explodes into life as increased offer is accepted; medical awaits with Chelsea batted aside

Liverpool have ‘officiallly sent’ a second offer to Southampton for Romeo Lavia – and there is growing belief a move will soon be done to bring the midfielder to Anfield.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is determined to add the Belgian teenager to his ranks after seeing his midfield options severely depleted. And while both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been brought in, the German is still desperate to add to his options.

Indeed, that need has been accelerated dramatically by imminent confirmation of Jordan Henderson’s move to Al-Ettifaq. And amid a strong possibility that Fabinho will also depart Anfield for the riches of Saudi Arabia, Klopp is very much pushing to bring reinforcements in.

As a result, the Liverpool manager has quickly identified Lavia as a key target. He enjoyed a stellar season with Southampton, despite being powerless to prevent their relegation back to the second tier.

And with their interest intensifying, Liverpool lodged an opening offer worth £37m for his services on Wednesday. Saints, though, rate their star at nearer the £50m mark and are in no apparent rush to sell for under their asking price. Therefore, it will have come as little surprise to Klopp to see Liverpool’s opening gambit waved away.

However, with talks continuing, the Reds manager has seemingly imposed something of a mini deadline to wrap up Lavia’s signing.

Providing an update on their plans, he admitted the club were working hard to bring in their targets.

“There are so many things to do. The transfer window is open. If my day would have 28 hours at the moment it would not be a problem – I could fill them easily!”

Liverpool closing on Romeo Lavia transfer
Klopp added: “Still three-and-a-half weeks until the first game of the season. A few things have to happen before then, definitely, transfer market-wise as well. That is clear now. And it will happen. New players have to come in. We will have a good team.”

However, journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims Liverpool have now reached a breakthrough in the chase for Lavia. And he claims a second, and improved offer, reportedly in the region of £45m, including bonuses, has not only been officialy sent, but is also set to be accepted by Southampton.

That comes amid fears that Chelsea could make a late play to hijack the transfer after being encouraged by Liverpool’s initial failure.

However, it now appears Lavia’s switch to Merseyside is closing in, with the player clear over his desire to move to Merseyside.

As a result, Tavolieri claims ‘meticulous talks’ over the structure of the deal and payments are now underway between the clubs, with it now ‘just a matter of time’ before Liverpool reach a full agreement over the teenager’s transfer.

Tavolieri adds that Lavia is now waiting patiently for permission to travel north to Merseyside to undergo a medical. But all being well, that will all be wrapped up in time for the Belgian to meet his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Singapore.

Liverpool are due to face Leicester on Sunday, before tackling Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

And if the deal now progresses as hoped, it is that second game against the Bundesliga champions, in which Lavia could make his debut.

Lavia has already agreed personal terms on a long-term deal at Anfield, which is likely to tie him to the Merseysiders until summer 2029.

The news means Liverpool, and new sporting director Jorge Schmadtke, can now switch their focus on to other midfield targets. Klopp is understood to be seeking at least one more new addition following Lavia after also losing James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of last season.

Southampton relief saga is coming to a close
For Southampton, there will be relief on their part that the saga is coming to a close.

Having signed the teenager for a fee of £14m last summer, they stand to make a hefty profit on their initial investment.

That will give them time, and money, to reinvest in their squad with the club hoping to bounce back at the first time of asking.

New manager Russell Martin gave Lavia a run-out in Tuesday’s 3-2 friendly defeat to Bournemouth. And while he admits he was pleased with the player’s attitude, he admits speculation over his future has been a distraction.

“I thought Romeo, considering what’s going on, to play tonight and do all that stuff, it was good for him to get on the pitch as he has not had the minutes other people have had,” Martin said.

“You can ask for an update but I can’t give you one because I don’t know. I’m going to speak to (sporting director) Jason (Wilcox) now but I’ve been preparing for this game.”

You may also like

Transfer Gossip: Incredible Liverpool hijack of already-agreed move emerges as Klopp pushes for three-time UCL winner to join

Transfer Gossip: Next Liverpool signing explodes into life as Klopp approves £50m deal; Man Utd star changes agents to force through move
Now it looks like that appearance earlier this week will prove his last in a Saints shirt. He will depart St Mary’s having made 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.