In what seems like groundhog day, several media outlets are reporting on Friday evening that Liverpool have agreed a £20 million fee with Southampton for defender Dejan Lovren.
The Daily Mirror‘s David Anderson writes:
Dejan Lovren will complete his switch to Anfield this weekend after Liverpool finally agreed a £20million deal with Southampton.
Whilst BBC Sport’s Ben Smith tweeted:
Southampton defender Dejan Lovren will undergo a medical with Liverpool over the weekend #LFC #SaintsFC
— Ben Smith (@BenSmithBBC) July 25, 2014
Reports in Croatia said the two clubs had agreed a fee last weekend, but the completion of the deal appears to have been delayed this week.
Complicating the matter further is the fact that Liverpool and their medical staff are in the USA for a pre-season tour, having lost 1-0 to Roma in Boston on Wednesday night.
The Reds are also expected to complete a deal for French international striker Loic Remy imminently. The Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce tweeted from America on Friday:
Remy deal will be announced in next few days. Passed his medical. Just slight hold up over paperwork. Origi is in Boston for his medical.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 25, 2014
Divock Origi could complete a triple swoop for the week. The 19-year-old Belgian international is expected to be loaned straight back to Lille to continue his football development, but is highly rated in both France and his homeland.
Meanwhile The Times football editor and Liverpool FC writer Tony Evans has an interesting idea that there may be a chance for Pepe Reina yet at the club, with the Spaniard having returned from his loan spell at Napoli.
Interesting RT that last one. Reina training in Boston. Three keepers out there and he's the best. Felt club needed to draw line under Reina
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) July 25, 2014
If they were going to do that, why take him on tour? He's being paid too much but could the thinking have softened a bit?
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) July 25, 2014
Whether you want to believe it or not, they don't fancy Mingolet. Doesn't talk, doesn't direct defence, doesn't dominate area, slow off line
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvansTimes) July 25, 2014
Reina himself has been speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, with quotes picked up by the Daily Star.
The 31-year-old has suggested he would like to return to La Liga for the final part of his career, but at the moment he is focussed with Liverpool.
“I have a contract to respect with Liverpool. I’m training well and I am perfectly fine with my team-mates.
“I am here to stay. I have not talked to Brendan Rodgers, I’ve been here for only four days and I am just thinking of training to my best and getting back into shape.
“At the moment all the big Spanish teams are covered in my role, so I see it as very difficult to return to Spain.”
The transfer speculation and conspiracy theories continue. Join in with transfer window talk amongst other fans in our Liverpool FC Forums or use the comments section below.
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