Two Liverpool midfield deals off, but Reds get closer to Romeo Lavia with third bid lodged

Two Liverpool midfield deals have been resigned to the scrapheap, though they are coming closer to signing Southampton ace Romeo Lavia after tabling a third bid.

The Reds have already waved goodbye to a whole host of midfield stars this summer. Leighton Clarkson (Aberdeen), Arthur Melo (loan expiry), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), James Milner (Brighton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (unattached), Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq) and Fabinho (Al Ittihad) have all left.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived, though from a numbers point of view, Klopp’s ranks have been decimated.

At present, the Reds do not have an established holding midfielder on their books. Stefan Bajcetic can play the position, though is only 18 and lacks experience.

As such, and with numbers already thin, recent speculation suggesting Thiago Alcantara could join Sevilla came as something of a surprise.

The classy Spaniard, 32, has struggled with injury issues over recent years and has entered the last 12 months of his contract.

As such, links with Sevilla do make sense on some level given the likely alternative is losing Thiago for free next summer.

However, according to a resounding update from Fabrizio Romano, Thiago to Sevilla is a total non-starter.

The transfer guru tweeted: “no negotiations, no talks, nothing at all between Thiago Alcantara and Sevilla despite links.”

The trusted reporter concluded Thiago remains “only focused” on the Reds at present.

Second midfield deal a no-go

While Thiago’s potential exit has been laid to rest, a possible midfield arrival has also been debunked.

Reports claimed the Reds have shown interest in signing Leicester Coty’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The 24-year-old bagged a late brace to ensure the Foxes kicked off their promotion push in the Championship with a win on Sunday.

However, the Liverpool Echo (who cite Fabrizio Romano), say Dewsbury-Hall will not be moving to Anfield.

The Echo reported Liverpool have ‘no interest’ in the Leicester man who can now be crossed off the midfield shortlist.

Third bid for Lavia; Chelsea threat subsides

However, one midfielder who might make the jump to Merseyside is Southampton ace, Romeo Lavia.

The Reds are understood to have already agreed personal terms with the player who is keen to make the switch.

Bids worth £37m and £42m have already been rejected. The Saints value their 19-year-old Belgium international at £50m and as yet, have shown no signs of budging.

The Liverpool Echo, stated the Reds were primed to thunder in with a new and improved offer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the bid has been made.

The offer totalled £45m including add-ons and given it still falls short of Southampton’s target, it’s expected to be rejected. However, Romano stressed negotiations are set to continue.

What’s more, Liverpool’s primary competition for Lavia is Chelsea and the Blues have fixed their gaze on a double swoop for Moises Caicedo and Tyler Adams instead.

As such, a transfer does look there for the making for Liverpool – providing they don’t shoot themselves in the foot over the transfer fee, of course.

READ MORE: The 70 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns: Lavia, Andre, Doucoure…