Liverpool have failed with their latest bid for Romeo Lavia after improving the package on offer to Southampton on Tuesday, according to reports.
Lavia is the next midfielder Liverpool want to sign after adding Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer. After the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, it makes sense for them to be looking for a holding option.
Lavia is supposedly keen on a move to Liverpool, just one year after leaving Man City for Southampton. However, negotiations between the two clubs have not led to a breakthrough yet.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have sent in a new bid for Lavia after their opening offer of up to £38m was rejected. This time, the package on offer would come to £42m.
However, Sky Sports News claims the initial payment would still be less than £40m, which simply isn’t good enough for Southampton (who will owe Man City a percentage of the fee they ultimately receive).
As both sources have reiterated, the asking price for Lavia is strictly set at £50m. But talks are expected to continue given the Belgium international’s preference for the move.
Nevertheless, Sky suggests Liverpool could turn their attention to an alternative. Recently, they began to be linked with Fluminense star Andre – and their interest has now been verified.
Worryingly for Liverpool, Sky claims that despite Lavia’s preference, he could sort out personal terms with Chelsea – another club keen to sign him – if there is no compromise between the Reds and Southampton.
It would take him away from Liverpool’s grasp and force them to look more closely at someone like Andre.
Andre an alternative to Lavia for Liverpool
The 22-year-old earned his senior international debut with Brazil earlier in 2023. At club level, he has more than 100 appearances under his belt for Fluminense.
His contract there is due to last until December 2026, six months before Lavia’s terms with Southampton will run out.
There is a particular expectation that Lavia will be on the move this summer regardless after Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League.
But Liverpool will have to get more serious if they are to be the ones to prise him away from St. Mary’s Stadium.
As for Andre, they could offer him his first taste of club football outside his native Brazil. Three years older than Lavia, he has more experience under his belt, but it is less relevant to English football.
