Liverpool agree £4.2 million fee with Lazio for sale of Luis Alberto

August 29, 2016
Jack Lusby

Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto is set to leave Liverpool for Lazio, with the two clubs agreeing a £4.2 million fee on Monday.

The former Sevilla talent joined the Reds in a deal worth £6.8 million in 2013, but failed to establish himself over three years on Merseyside.

This saw him take in loan spells with Malaga and Deportivo de La Coruna, with Jurgen Klopp making him available for a permanent transfer on his return to Melwood in July.

Valencia, Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sevilla were all credited with an interest in signing the 23-year-old.

But according to widespread reports on Monday evening, Rome will be Alberto’s next destination.

Paul Joyce of the Express reports that Liverpool have accepted Lazio’s £4.2 million bid, as well as agreeing further add-ons and a 30 percent sell-on clause.

The Liverpool Echo report that these add-ons could take the deal up to £6 million, representing solid business for the Reds.

This marks the end of a muted spell on the books at Liverpool for Alberto, but provides him with the opportunity to revive his career.

Alberto was in impressive form with Deportivo throughout 2015/16, linking up with new Arsenal striker Lucas Perez, scoring six goals and laying on eight assists in 31 games.

An excellent technical midfielder, Alberto simply lacked the natural fitness to thrive under either Klopp or the German’s predecessor, Brendan Rodgers.

Serie A will likely prove the perfect outlet for his talents, owing to the more languid pace of the Italian top flight.

Lazio are currently ninth in the table after two games, with three points, and harbour ambitions of European qualification in 2016/17.

Alberto can look to link up with the likes of Ravel Morrison and previously rumoured Liverpool target Keita Balde Diao at the Stadio Olimpico.

He will be managed by Simone Inzaghi, brother of former AC Milan striker Filippo, who scored twice in the Reds’ Champions League final defeat in 2007.

Alberto is now due in Rome to discuss personal terms, with a deal to be confirmed imminently.