Source explains Liverpool fears on top Klopp target as mammoth £60.5m bid is prepped for combative Prem alternative

Liverpool continue to drag their heels over a firm move for Romeo Lavia with Southampton refusing to budge on their valuation, leading to speculation that Jurgen Klopp is instead plotting a giant approach for a Premier League alternative.

The Merseysiders’ need for new midfield additions this summer is well documented. And while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have already signed, Klopp wants to add another couple of stars at least to his mix.

That need too has been escalated by imminent exits for both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. Klopp will have gone into the summer window expecting to keep both players. However, a sizeable £40m offer from Al Ittihad for Brazilian Fabinho has been deemed too good to refuse.

Henderson, meanwhile, is the subject of a mammoth £700,000 a week offer to move to Al-Ettifaq, netting the star an eye-watering £109m over three years. Henderson’s prospective transfer, however, has come in for staunch criticism from Graeme Souness.

Nonetheless, Liverpool expect both deals to go through in the next few days. And with James Milner, Arthur Melo, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also departing, the Reds will soon find themselves four players down in the midfield engine room.

As a result, it’s little surprise to see Klopp linked with a plethora of potential replacements.

To that end, the Reds boss has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of five names he wants to bring into his midfield. Of that quintet, Klopp would ideally like to bring in three new signings.

However, as illustrated by Declan Rice’s £105m move to Arsenal, the game’s top midfielders these days attract hefty fees.

And it for that reason why Liverpool continue to stall on an apparent move for Lavia.

READ MORE: Liverpool ‘submit proposal’ to Bundesliga giants with £56m raid for Fabinho successor to be ‘finalised’

Liverpool still think Romeo Lavia valuation is too high

The Belgian teenager enjoyed an outstanding 2022/23 season on a personal level, despite seeing his Southampton side finish bottom of the Premier League.

His form has alerted a string of top admirers to his services, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool among those keen.

However, Saints have made clear they are in no hurry to sell and will not negotiate on the former Man City academy graduate’s £50m valuation.

Klopp, though, feels that, after just one senior season under his belt, that a £40m price, is a more realistic valuation.

And that difference in prices is what continues to keep Liverpool from making a firm approach.

Providing an update on the situation, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti told Givemesport the asking price continues to deter the Reds.

“Romeo Lavia remains a concrete option for Liverpool to strengthen their midfield and is one of the names at the top of their list,” Galetti said.

“I was told the Reds have considered making a concrete move, but they are stalling a bit because the price tag is considered too high.

“Anyway, we can confirm that he is one of the profiles most appreciated by [Jurgen] Klopp.”

Liverpool planning Cheick Doucoure bid

As a result, reports in Spain now claim Liverpool are readying an official proposal to tempt Crystal Palace into the sale of Cheick Doucoure.

The Mali international was an astute signing by Patrick Vieira during his reign at Selhurst Park. Costing £26m from Lens, Doucoure was named the Eagles’ Player of the Year in a vote that could easily have been won by either Michael Olise or Marc Guehi.

Now the Eagles are ready to demand a huge profit on their investment if Liverpool come calling.

To that end, they reportedly the 23-year-old in the £70m bracket.

However, it’s suggested Liverpool’s opening offer is likely to be some way short of that amid claims a bid worth £60.5m will be launched.

Palace will be unlikely to accept the Reds’ first approach, however. The Eagles have already lost Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer to Galatasaray, while Olise is also reportedly nearing a £39m move to Chelsea.

READ MORE: All 69 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns: Lavia, Doucoure, Thuram…