Liverpool near signing of Real Betis defender as initial bid is rejected

Aissa Mandi

Liverpool have seen an intial bid of £9m rejected by Real Betis for defender Aissa Mandi.

The Reds are in the market for a replacement for Dejan Lovren after selling the Croatian to Zenit for £10.9m.

Schalke defender Ozan Kabak, rated at £32m, has been mentioned as a target. A deal for Sevilla’s Diego Carlos – who has a €75m exit clause – would cost significantly more.

Instead, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have their eyes on a more modest target in the shape of Algeria defender Mandi.

The 28-year-old defender has just a year left on his deal with the LaLiga club and will be offloaded this summer.

Mandi does have a €30m exit clause in his deal. However, with just a year left to run they will allow him to leave for a vastly-reduced fee.

According to the Daily Mirror, Liverpool’s first offer of £9m has been rejected by Betis.

However, all is not lost for the Reds with Liverpool informed that an increased bid of £10.8m will be enough to land their man.

It’s claimed Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edward is currently putting the finishing touches to the deal and his signing for Liverpool could soon be wrapped up.

 

The 28-year-old, who has 55 Algeria caps, played 30 LaLiga games this season as Betis finished 15th.

 

PSG linked with Joel Matip

PSG are preparing a surprise approach for Liverpool defender Joel Matip, according to a report.

Matip has established himself as a trusted member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad, having played a role in their recent trophy successes.

Joel Matip

But for his appalling injury record, the former Schalke defender would certainly figured more. Matip has missed over 60 matches over a total of eight various injuries since joining in 2016.

But despite making just 13 appearances in all competitions this season, Cameroon news outlet kick442 claims PSG are readying an approach.

They state PSG’s sporting director Leonardo sees Matip as an ideal replacement for departing defender Thiago Silva at the heart of the defence.

 

READ MORE: Kolo Toure explains key Van Dijk weakness that sees him ‘struggle’