Liverpool could be looking to sign a coveted £40million star next summer ahead of the upcoming season

Liverpool could make a move for Romeo Lavia ‘at the right price’ as the Southampton star would ‘prefer a move’ given interest from Anfield, journalist Ben Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT.

After a disappointing season which saw the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League, manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to further strengthen his squad.
Liverpool transfer news – Romeo Lavia

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are confident they can sell Lavia for £50m after Liverpool were just one of several clubs to show interest in the summer.

According to the report, the Merseyside giants, along with Arsenal and Chelsea, have held talks with the Belgium

international’srepresentatives since Saints were relegated to the Championship.

Liverpool are preparing to test Southampton’s resolve with an opening bid after overtaking Chelsea in the signing race.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently told GIVEMESPORT that the Reds could offer add-ons or players in exchange to lower Southampton’s asking price.

Although Manchester City have a £40m buy-back clause following the sale of Lavia last year, it cannot be activated until the summer of 2024.

What did Ben Jacobs say about Lavia?
Jacobs believes Lavia could be Liverpool’s latest signing as he brings qualities to fellow midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, who have signed £35m and £60m deals respectively.

But the respected journalist thinks the Reds are looking to sign the 19-year-old for nearly £40m as they want to capitalize on Southampton’s relegation.

Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “Along with Lavia he’s the absolute number six and a midfield destroyer so from a Liverpool perspective this could well be something to watch.”

“But the price has to be right and it won’t be £50m for Liverpool. They will be looking to use Manchester City’s £40m buyout clause next year as a more realistic solution.

“We are now waiting to see if and how quickly they will act. Liverpool only enter into these deals within their time frame and on their terms.

What future for Liverpool? Klopp’s next priority could be trying to bolster Liverpool’s defense as Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill is of interest, according to Football.London.

The West Londoners are keen to keep the England Under-21 international at Stamford Bridge which could make it difficult for the Reds to negotiate a transfer fee.

Brighton & Hove Albion could also complicate matters as they have already failed with a £30m bid for Colwill.

Meanwhile, there could be some departures from Liverpool as Thiago Alcantara has attracted plenty of suitors, including clubs competing in the high-spending Saudi Pro League.

Although the Reds have yet to receive any offers from any of the midfielder’s admirers, he turned down a lucrative contract offer.

Al-Ettifaq, who have appointed Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as their boss, have also been aiming to bring in Anfield skipper Jordan Henderson.

More news……

Liverpool has repeated Sadio Mané transfer trick amid $61m gap as Manchester United danger clear

Liverpool and Manchester United have started to move this summer, but transfer fees are far from the only cost factor for Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag.

With every transfer taking place across the Premier League this summer, the actual amount of money is somewhat obscured by the transfer fees quoted.

Last summer, for example, Erling Haaland cost significantly more than the $81m (£64m/€75m) release clause put in place by Manchester City when wages and fees brokerage are taken into account.

Even small moves cost a lot more than transfer fees alone. Dominik Szoboszlai’s release clause has been set at $77m (£61m/€70m), but with his wages on a five-year contract, Liverpool would have spent significantly more.

Liverpool have often signed players on the verge of becoming superstars at the FSG. The plan is to recruit them at lower salaries and then slowly develop them as they progress.

Sadio Mané, for example, was hired in 2016 before receiving a pay rise as a reward in 2018. He had one year left on his contract when Liverpool sold him. Mohamed Salah is the one who received the third salary increase and contract extension.

This summer, it was the same strategy. Liverpool have so far signed Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister who ECHO say will both earn around $150,000 a week, far less than the sums other clubs are willing to pay.

Mason Mount, for example, signed a contract this week with Manchester United worth more than $300,000 a week. On a five-year deal, that’s a difference of about $32 million between Mount and Szoboszlai.

Liverpool made an exception for the signing of Thiago Alcântara, but the former Bayern Munich player cost a relatively low transfer fee (less than half of what Mount Manchester United cost), so the overall cost of his signature was lower.

The rest of the transfers made were at relatively modest wages compared to what is offered elsewhere. Last year, Salah was in the same league as players like Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz. Generally, players start lower and work their way up the ladder.

For Liverpool, it works in two ways. On the one hand, the pay structure is manageable and everyone earns the same amount, instead of one player being miles ahead of the others; On the other hand, everyone is encouraged to keep improving and earning trophies.

Even someone like Darwin Núñez, who could be a record signing for the club, was signed on a relatively low salary compared to other Premier League biggest deals, meaning that in any scenario Liverpool could allow large contracts avoided. At Manchester United, Mount and Sancho are not alone.

Raphaël Varane, Casemiro, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes all have equally large sums: two of them are over 30 and Martial is redundant. Marcus Rashford, when he makes a new deal, he’s going to join that group in that group.

Liverpool have the best model. While FSG has invested heavily in salaries (according to The Mirror, Liverpool had the fourth-highest salary in the Premier League last year, behind Chelsea and both Manchester clubs), it is more evenly distributed and correlated to performances, meaning situations like Martial and Sancho – who has been a clear disappointment since his move from Borussia Dortmund to Old Trafford – are avoided.

The Mirror report says Liverpool paid $61m (£48m/€56m) less in wages than Manchester United last season, and with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gone, even with new purchases, should balance the situation. Only when those new players have proven themselves will there be raises.

Mason Mount could be a big hit for Erik ten Hag, but it represents the latest big gamble Manchester United have taken, as Liverpool remain more risk averse.