Liverpool are ready to return with a third – and final – bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
The Reds have seen two offers rejected by Southampton already for the 19-year-old Belgian, with the most recent reportedly totalling £41m, including add-ons.
The Saints have held firm on their £50m valuation of the midfielder so far this summer, buoyed by the level of competition for his signature, with Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester United all interested.
Liverpool’s interest in the defensive midfielder remains the most serious, however, having already made two official bids and agreed personal terms.
Belgian transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri now claims that the Reds are ready to return with a third bid, which will be their last attempt to find an agreement with Southampton on price.
Tavolieri claims that Liverpool’s ‘third and ultimate’ bid will hit £40m without add-ons,.
While it has been widely reported that the Saints are seeking £50m, Tavolieri claims that this new figure will meet the Championship club’s expectations once add-ons are factored in.
He adds: “Dialogue remains opens as Southampton won’t let leave his biggest sale of the year with the financial impact of a relegation. Deal still ON.”
Melissa Reddy has reported that the Reds are still on the hunt for ‘two profiles’ of midfielder, though it is not guaranteed that both will arrive this window.
Liverpool have since made contact with Fluminense over a deal for 22-year-old Andre Trindade, though his club are reluctant to sell before the winter.
For his part, Jurgen Klopp said that “it is no secret that we are still looking for players to join us” prior to Liverpool’s 4-3 pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich in Singapore.
The Reds have also been tangentially linked to the likes of Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina) and Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach) in their search for a new ‘number six’ this summer, but Lavia – seemingly – remains the only target who the club have submitted an official bid for.
