Klopp in dreamland with Liverpool to squash Chelsea for midfield signing No 3; reasons Reds were chosen revealed

Liverpool are closing in on their third midfield addition after a key source confirmed Chelsea’s accelerated attempts to hijack the deal will fail.

The Reds are seeking a third midfield addition to follow Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai into Anfield. With Fabinho poised to join Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner in leaving Liverpool’s midfield ranks, a fourth midfielder might wind up being required too.

But before then, it’s Southampton’s Romeo Lavia who Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on for arrival No 3.

Indeed, Liverpool have already bid £37m for the 19-year-old Belgium international. An improved offer totalling £45m is in the works, while the Saints are hell bent on generating £50m for their holding midfielder.

One journalist who has repeatedly taken the lead on Lavia to Liverpool is Belgian reporter, Sacha Tavolieri.

Tavolieri was the first to break news of Liverpool reaching an agreement on personal terms with the player. He also telegraphed when the Reds would lodge their first bid – the £37m offering that has since been rebuffed.

Now, according to a fresh update from the journalist, Chelsea have made attempts to hijack Liverpool’s deal.

The Blues have spied Lavia as a viable alternative to Moises Caicedo who was the subject of an £80m bid on Thursday night.

However, Brighton instantly rejected the offer, with David Ornstein confirming the Seagulls value Caicedo north of £100m.

As such, Lavia represents a viable and far cheaper alternative for Chelsea. Per Tavolieri, the Blues have stepped up their pursuit.

However, their accelerated efforts are destined to come to nothing. Tavolieri tweeted Lavia has been “convinced” to join Liverpool thanks to three specific reasons.

Firstly, the plan put forward by the Reds convinced not only Lavia, but his advisors and representatives too.

Secondly, the presence of European football – even despite it being Europa League – has played a part in the Belgian’s thinking. By contrast, Chelsea are not in Europe whatsoever next term.

Finally, the sporting project laid out by Liverpool and the ‘human aspects’ of the move have swayed the teenager’s family. Given Lavia is still so young the words of wisdom from his family may hold significant weight.

As such, a reversal of fortunes, i.e Lavia joining Chelsea instead of Liverpool, is labelled “unlikely.”

That’s not to say Chelsea might not have some form of effect on the move however, with the reporter noting Chelsea’s presence may force Liverpool into paying full price to slam the door shut on the Blues once and for all.

But if paying an extra £5m and meeting Southampton’s £50m valuation is what it takes to secure Lavia, it’s a price Jurgen Klopp and co. will no doubt believe is worth paying.

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