Liverpool see ‘improved bid’ rejected for £50m star with alternative Klopp target named

Southampton have rejected Liverpool’s latest bid for Romeo Lavia with the Championship side sticking to their £50m valuation of the player.

Liverpool were unsuccessful in their first attempt to sign the 19-year-old, but they were hopeful of striking a deal with an improved offer.

Man Utd have even been sniffing around the Southampton star of late as Liverpool have struggled to get the deal over the line.

Southampton are firmly sticking to their £50m valuation and Liverpool’s latest bid didn’t reach this figure.

According to Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy, Liverpool could look towards alternative targets if they struggle to land a deal for Lavia.

“Liverpool have tabled an improved bid for Romeo Lavia, but are concurrently exploring a deal for other options – Andre of Fluminense among them – if Southampton’s valuation remains excessive,” Reddy revealed.

“New offer closer to asking price but still below an initial £40m (without add-ons). Information from the Southampton end is that this improved offer has been rejected.”

Southampton seem unwilling to budge on their £50m valuation and so Liverpool will need to decide whether to make an improved bid or seek an alternative target.

Brazilian midfielder Andre was a target for Liverpool last month and he could be a cheaper alternative to Lavia.

Jurgen Klopp has toyed with the idea of using Curtis Jones as a holding midfielder for the upcoming season, but he has reaffirmed his desire to sign a new midfielder.

“I think it is no secret that we are still looking for players to join us,” Klopp told reporters. “Curtis can absolutely play that position.

“Can he play it when nobody else is defending in the team? No chance. But then I don’t know any player that could play it then.

“A proven No. 6 is not available in the moment. If we make an excuse of that and think say ‘OK, how can we do that then?’, then we have a problem.

“If you see it as a positive challenge, try to find a way to be compact already – or even more so – or to find a way to deny the opponent. If you do that together, it’s always possible.”

With just two weeks until the new Premier League season gets underway, Liverpool still have plenty of work to do in the transfer market.

READ MORE: PSG ‘expecting a concrete offer from Chelsea’ after outcast says ‘no’ to Liverpool