Double transfer blow for Liverpool as they ‘abandon’ deal for Man Utd-linked Caicedo alternative

Liverpool won’t be signing Aurelien Tchouameni this summer after Real Madrid made it clear that he’s not for sale, according to reports.

The Reds have already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer to cover the departures of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.

But the unexpected losses of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia means Jurgen Klopp is now in the transfer market for at least one or two more midfielders this summer.

Moises Caicedo emerged as their top target with Klopp confirming Brighton had accepted a bid from Liverpool for the Ecuador international’s services.

However, Caicedo has other ideas with the Seagulls midfielder informing Liverpool that he only has eyes for Chelsea with the 21-year-old completing a medical at Stamford Bridge today.

And now Liverpool have returned with a bid of £60m for Romeo Lavia, which has been accepted by Southampton, after failing with a number of bids over the last month.

READ MORE: Have Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd improved enough to challenge Manchester City?

However, Chelsea could also hijack their move to Lavia with reporter for the Evening Standard, Nizaar Kinsella, insisting the Blues are ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign the player.

Kinsella wrote on Twitter: “Chelsea still in pole position for Romeo Lavia despite Liverpool’s attempts today.”

And there is more potentially disappointing news for Liverpool fans with Spanish publication Nacional insisting that the Reds have chosen to ‘abandon’ their interest in signing Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni, who has also been linked to Man Utd.

The possibility of Liverpool signing the France international has now ‘vanished completely’ as Real Madrid have ‘no intention of parting’ with Tchouameni.

And now Liverpool will ‘have to explore other options’ despite Tchouameni likely to fall down the pecking order at Real Madrid this season after the arrival of Jude Bellingham.

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant thinks it “would be very embarrassing” if Chelsea beat them to Lavia as well as Caicedo this summer.

Pennant told bettingsites.co.uk: “If Liverpool were going to break the bank and spend £111m on Moises Caicedo, they might as well just pay over the odds for Romeo Lavia.

“If Southampton value him at £50m then put a bid in of £55m just to secure the deal. The drop-off in type of player from last season compared to Caicedo is not massive, it’s not like you’d be getting half the player that Caicedo is with Lavia. They’re both good players.

“And Lavia is 19, so he’s still got plenty of time to grow and get better and better, so it will be money well spent. I can’t see Chelsea putting a £115m bid in for Caicedo and then going to £60m for Lavia as well. FFP will be getting blown out of the water!

“I don’t know how they could do it…So Liverpool need to do all they can to get this deal done. They have to win at all costs with this one.”

Pennant added: “If Chelsea beat them to Lavia as well as Caicedo it would be very embarrassing for Liverpool. But I think the Lavia deal is going to be a lot more straightforward. There’s no player sticking to their word or giving clubs assurances that he’s going to join them like with Caicedo.

“Lavia will be happy to join either, so it’s going to be first come first served – whoever gets the deal agreed first and the green light signs him.”