‘Bidding war’ to erupt – Liverpool transfer hits brick wall as selling club derail dream Klopp midfield plan

Liverpool have been told to forget all hopes of pinching Romeo Lavia on the cheap – with Southampton fully prepared to play the long game to ensure they can max out their valuation of the teenage midfielder.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his midfield this summer. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Arthur Melo and James Milner have all left, leaving the Merseysiders with some gaps to fill.

To that end, Klopp acted swiftly once the season was done to seal the signing of Alexis Mac Allister for an initial £35m from Brighton. The World Cup winner was soon followed to Anfield by Hungarian playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai. Arriving from RB Leipzig for £60m, the 22-year-old will add goals and craft to the Reds midfield.

The two new signings should complement one another perfectly. Mac Allister, a No 8 wearing the No 10 and Szoboszlai, a No 10 who will don the No 8 shirt, will give Liverpool legs, creativity and goals.

But to complete the look of a perfect new-look midfield, Klopp would also like to sign a new No 6. The position has been held for the last five seasons by Fabinho, to largely brilliant effect.

However, in the season just finished, the Brazilian allowed his standards to drop, occasionally finding himself outfought and out-thought in the engine room.

While claims of his demise are perhaps exaggerated, there is little doubt that Klopp does have an eye on the long term. To that end, Klopp has looked into deals for Kouadio Kone, Khephren Thuram and Lavia this summer.

However, it is Lavia who has emerged as their man target with reports claiming the move for the Southampton star has exploded into life.

Klopp left anguished by Southampton’s Lavia stance

Saints, though, despite their relegation to the Championship, are in no hurry to offload the star.

And while they will not stand in the teenager’s way over a move, they will only allow him to leave on their terms.

To that end, Southampton are reportedly standing by a £50m valuation of the teenager.

Liverpool, however, feel that £40m – the buy-back clause in his deal inserted by Man City, which becomes active in summer 2024 – is the absolute top-end of his valuation.

As a result, the two clubs are seemingly poles apart in their valuations of the 19-year-old.

And that means that Klopp’s plan to complete his perfect new-look midfield has hit a sudden and immediate brick wall.

Providing an update on the situation, journalist Ben Jacobs has told Caught Offside why Southampton are prepared to play the long game.

“Liverpool will likely add another midfielder and Romeo Lavia is quite high on the list of options,” he said. “Lavia would be keen on the move, but price is currently a stumbling block.

“Southampton want £50m for Lavia and Liverpool don’t see him as being worth anywhere near that much. It’s the same for Arsenal and Chelsea. Those two clubs are focused elsewhere for now, but can’t be ruled out. Arsenal want to understand if Thomas Partey will leave. And Chelsea are exploring Brighton’s Moises Caicedo with near-daily talks.

“This is why Southampton are being so firm on price for now. They feel if they wait a little then more suitors may emerge and then they’ll get a bidding war.”

Southampton can afford to make Liverpool wait

Jacobs continued: “Liverpool view Lavia’s £40m buyback clause – active in 2024 for Manchester City only – as a kind of top-end yardstick for valuation.

“And given Southampton have been relegated, and Lavia is open to a move, it wouldn’t surprise me if starting offers, should they arrive, were more around the low or mid-£30m mark.”

Obviously, that creates an issue for Liverpool given Saints’ plan to hold their nerve.

And without an exit clause in his deal this summer, they can comfortably afford to wait to do business on their terms only.

Liverpool often get their own way when it comes to transfer incomings. To that end, few deals over the years ever elude them. And when they go for a signing, they more often than not land their man.

Indeed, they have made regular raids on St Mary’s over the years too. Sadio Mane, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and of course, Virgil van Dijk have all made the move in recent seasons.

The chances of Lavia being the next to make that move to Merseyside now hang in the balance. And it seems there is still plenty of talking to do first if Liverpool are to get this one done.

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