Liverpool ‘expect’ to beat Chelsea to £50m ‘beast’ as replacement for Galatasaray-bound star | OneFootball

Liverpool ‘expect’ to agree a deal for midfielder Romeo Lavia, and the Southampton ‘beast’ is thought to be keen on a move to Anfield.

Lavia has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Liverpool this summer after his impressive displays in his debut season for Southampton.

A report last week claimed Liverpool had cooled their interest in Lavia as there was ‘no gap to fill’ in their squad, but that could soon change with Thiago Alcantara linked with a move to Galatasaray.

Turkish publication Fanatik (via Sport Witness) report that Galatasaray president Erden Timur has held talks with the Spaniard over a move and has made a ‘very good offer’ that Thiago has welcomed.

The report adds that ‘Timur has also held talks with Liverpool to find out the conditions needed to sign the former Barcelona star in this window’.

Fabrizio Romano claimed on Friday that Liverpool believeed they can “find a way” to land Lavia using “a creative formula” and Football insider now report that a deal is ‘expected to be agreed’.

Southampton rejected a £50m deadline day bid for Lavia from Chelsea last summer having signed the teenager from Manchester City for £11m earlier in the window.

It’s been claimed that the Saints wanted the same fee for Lavia having been relegated to the Championship, but The Sun recently claimed that they have dropped his price to £40m in a bid to encourage potential suitors.

Liverpool are said to be willing to pay that price for the midfielder they see as a ‘beast who can break up the play, close down the space in which opponents operate and lay the foundations for the team’s attacking play’.

Chelsea are still keeping tabs on the Belgium international as a possible alternative to Moises Caicedo, whom Brighton want Declan Rice money for.

Caicedo admitted this week that he’s enjoying the transfer speculation, though insists he “knows how to handle it”.

“It’s a very great emotion,” Caicedo told Maria Jose Flores. “What guy wouldn’t want them to be talking about him?”

“I know how to handle it. I don’t get carried away by emotions. I’m enjoying time with my family for now. There is pressure, but I am calm. I am waiting for whatever God decides. He will know what is best for me.”