Southampton are demanding £50million in order to sell Romeo Lavia after rejecting an initial offer from Liverpool of around £37m.
Jurgen Klopp needs to reinforce his midfield, with Jordan Henderson set to depart for Saudi Arabia.
The club captain could be followed by Fabinho, though there’s been a hold-up in the Brazilian’s move to the middle-east.
Nevertheless, even the departure of just Henderson would leave Klopp light in midfield and he wants reinforcements.
Lavia excelled during his first season with the Saints, despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
There is significant interest in Lavia, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United known to be admirers of the midfielder.
Southampton therefore immediately rejected Liverpool’s £37m offer, confident that a bidding war could open up for the midfielder.
And the Athletic say the Saints are demanding around £50m for the Belgian.
Liverpool have made checks on Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat but the Moroccan has already agreed personal terms with Manchester United.
The Reds have already lost Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita as midfield options this summer, though Alexis Mac Allister has arrived.
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