LIVERPOOL are not giving up in their pursuit to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Reds’ opening bid of around £37million was rejected this week.
Now, according the the Athletic, they are preparing an increased offer, with relegated Saints holding out for a fee in the region of £50m.
And it is claimed they have a “high chance” of getting a deal done.
Lavia, 19, made 29 appearances last season and spent a substantial period on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
Despite firm interest from Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp’s side now look the likeliest to get a deal agreed.
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Liverpool and Southampton have a solid relationship with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Peter Crouch all making the move from the South Coast to Merseyside.
Lavia featured in Southampton’s 3-2 friendly defeat against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
When asked about Lavia’s future, Saints manager Russell Martin said: “I thought Romeo, considering what’s going on, to play tonight and do all that stuff, it was good for him to get on the pitch as he has not had the minutes other people have had.
“You can ask for an update but I can’t give you one because I don’t know.”
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Klopp has already made two strong midfield additions this window – World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai.
But with the imminent departure of club captain Jordan Henderson and potential loss of Fabinho, Klopp is looking to secure his midfield future.
Henderson will join Al-Ettifaq after agreeing a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League side.
He will be reunited with ex team-mate Steven Gerrard under a new dynamic – with the Liverpool legends managerial role already underway in Saudi.
Fabinho’s move to Al-Ittihad is said to be in jeopardy but talks and negotiations will continue as the player returns to Liverpool training centre.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
