Liverpool ‘closer to agreement’ after making improved £46m bid for Jurgen Klopp’s top midfield target

According to reports, Liverpool’s third bid for Southampton star Romeo Lavia has been rejected but they are ‘getting closer to an agreement’.

Liverpool have been busy overhauling their midfield this summer. Around £95m was spent to sign Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai after James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left upon the expiry of their contracts.

Further signings are needed in midfield, though. This is because Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have since secured themselves big-money moves to the Saudi Pro League.

The Premier League need to sign a new defensive midfielder to replace Fabinho and Southampton starlet Lavia is understood to be their top target. 

Lavia enjoyed a breakout season for Southampton last season and he’s also been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd this summer.

Southampton have been holding out for £50m this summer and Liverpool are yet to meet this asking price.

Several outlets confirmed on Monday afternoon that Liverpool’s third bid for Lavia has been rejected by the Championship outfit.

Sky Sports are reporting that ‘talks remain ongoing with Southampton, but the Championship club are thought to be standing firm on their £50m valuation of the 19-year-old’.

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They have also indicated that Chelsea are also ‘interested and keeping an eye on his situation’.

The Athletic’s James Pearce meanwhile has taken to Twitter to state: “Latest #LFC offer rejected but clubs getting closer to an agreement. Surely a compromise gets reached. Lavia desperate for the move to happen and Liverpool urgently need a new No 6.”

Pearce’s story for The Athletic claims that Liverpool’s latest bid for Lavia is worth around £46m. He added.

‘Jurgen Klopp has identified the Belgium international as the perfect replacement for holding midfielder Fabinho, who recently left to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad.

‘However, talks with Southampton have dragged on with the Championship club sticking rigidly to their valuation of £50million.

‘Liverpool believe that figure is inflated for a 19-year-old who only has one season of senior football under his belt.

‘Anfield officials must now decide whether to increase their offer once again or move on to other targets.

‘Lavia, who is keen to complete the move to Liverpool, was an unused substitute in Southampton’s Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.’

Southampton CEO Phil Parsons recently insisted that they will not be “selling assets on the cheap” this summer.

“We won’t be selling assets on the cheap. That’s why we stood firm on a few. We will develop a lot of players over the coming years and there will be players who go on to join top-four clubs,” Parsons said on BBC Radio Solent.

“But we won’t be doing it at a cheap rate, we will be doing it at the going rate. If clubs want to place offers, we will look at them. We won’t be saying just yes to any offer through the door.”