Serie A giants agree personal terms with disgruntled Liverpool star

Lovren.Shaqiri.Liverpool

Dejan Lovren’s five-year spell at Liverpool appears to be coming to an end after Serie A giants Roma agreed personal terms with the defender over a proposed one-year loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer, a report claims.

The Croatian’s future at Anfield has been the subject of much speculation following the emergence of Joe Gomez and the renaissance of Joel Matip over the last 12 months – sliding Lovren down to fourth choice in the center-back ranks.

At 30-years-age, Lovren is reportedly keen to ensure he enjoys regular playing time as he approaches the twilight of his career, a notion that has fuelled speculation that his ties with Liverpool may be severed.

A move to the slower-paced Serie A always seemed a likely scenario for Lovren, with Sky Italia (via Calciomercato.com) claiming that Roma have agreed personal terms with the player and will sign the World Cup finalist initially on loan, with a €25 million obligation to buy fee inserted should the defender appear in enough matches in the upcoming season.

The news will come as a welcome surprise to Spurs fans as Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld had long been linked with a move to the Italian capital. A move to the Giallorossi for Lovren is sure to increase the likelihood of Alderweireld staying put at White Hart Lane.

The report goes on to claim that Liverpool are ‘inclined’ to accept the deal for the 30-year-old after Lovren was overlooked for selection to the UEFA Super Cup squad and played no part in their season opener versus Norwich.

Dejan Lovren TEAMtalk

His departure would leave Liverpool light in experienced options at the back after Alberto Moreno was allowed to leave on a free transfer, and Nathaniel Clyne suffered a cruciate ligament injury in July – ruling the right-back out until at least the new year.

The versatile James Milner may yet be called upon to deputise at left-back this season, while Fabinho may be drafted in as cover at right-back and center-back on occasion, having initially started out as a full-back during his time with Monaco.

 

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