Liverpool remain tied up in deal for £50m midfield star, but have one eye on another move

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports Liverpool are still “busy” with their attempts to sign Romeo Lavia, but will look to sign a new centre-back afterwards if they find a “very good option”.

Midfield moves have dominated proceedings at Anfield this summer. Six men have exited the club from that area of the pitch, five of which on a permanent basis.

The most shocking of which were the exits of starting pair Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, both deciding to take up a new challenge in Saudi Arabia.

As such, there’s a need to recruit in the midfield, and Southampton youngster Lavia has been Liverpool’s – and a lot of other sides’ – top target of late.

The Reds are attempting to get it done on the cheap, though. Their latest offer reportedly came in below £40million, despite the Saints making it clear they won’t accept under £50million.

It was suggested recently the Reds might have accepted defeat, as they moved onto Fluminense midfielder Andre – though signing him could also be problematic due to the Brazilian side’s Copa Libertadores run.

However, transfer insider Romano states they’re still working to get the transfer for Lavia over the line.

“Liverpool are currently busy with the Lavia deal, but after that, we will see,” he said on the Daily Briefing.

Following the completion of that deal, the insider states Liverpool may attempt to sign a new centre-back, but it has to be the right fit.

“Liverpool want to sign a new centre-back this summer but it has to be a very good option. They are not forced to sign for that position; it’s just in case they find the best opportunity,” he added.

“They wanted Levi Colwill but it was always impossible as Chelsea considered him not for sale since day one.”

Whether or not they do manage to snare a new defender will depend on how quickly the Lavia deal gets over the line, if indeed it does.

Should they get near the end of the transfer window having still not signed him, the chances of them dumping the deal and attempting to sign another centre-back seem slim.

They’ll surely still need to sign another midfielder if they don’t land him, so their priority would remain there.

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