Liverpool hopeful of deal for 'priority' target by end of July

Liverpool are 'hopeful' of a deal for Romeo Lavia before the end of July, according to one report.

The Southampton midfielder is among the Reds' top transfer targets to replace Fabinho this summer, with the Brazilian now set for a £40m move to Al-Ittihad.

Though a long list of players has been suggested as Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy seek to complete their midfield rebuild, 19-year-old Lavia is a name that has come up more than most in much of the credible reporting.

According to Football Insider, the Reds are in contact with Southampton over Lavia, and have been encouraged by the player's enthusiasm about a prospective deal. The big claim in the report, however, is that Liverpool are 'hopeful' a deal done by the end of the month — though price remains a sticking point in negotiations.

This is backed up by Fabrizio Romano who has said that the Reds are still trying to haggle down from the Saints' £50m valuation.

The transfer reporter said: “Staying with Liverpool, they keep working on Romeo Lavia. Nothing is advanced in terms of bids or club to club negotiations – still, contacts are taking place with the player’s agents and they are trying to understand the final price tag. Southampton always wanted around £50m but Liverpool are hoping for a different fee. He’s not their only target, but he is a concrete one, and Liverpool are still there."

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Meanwhile, Belgian outlet DH maintains that Lavia remains Liverpool's 'priority', despite talk of other names in the frame.

They also say that a move to Arsenal or Chelsea for the Belgium international now looks unlikely, because he is not the main target of the London clubs — unlike at Liverpool.

The report adds that time is on Liverpool's side as they wait for Southampton to bring down their asking price.

On Liverpool's valuation of Lavia, Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that the Reds would want to pay "£40m or under".

Whatever happens with Lavia, Klopp has promised more arrivals before the first game of the new Premier League campaign on 13 August.

Speaking to the We Are Liverpool podcast, he said: “[There are] Still around three to four weeks until the first game of the season, a few things have to happen until then. Definitely. Transfer market-wise as well, that’s clear now. It will happen, and we will have a good team.”