LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 29, 2016: Liverpool's captain Lucas Leiva in action against Leeds United during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Lucas Leiva ‘agrees’ £2.2 million summer move to Galatasaray

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is rumoured to have agreed a £2.2 million move to join Turkish giants Galatasaray in the summer transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp is set for another busy off-season reshaping his Reds squad, after seeing them fail in their bid for the Premier League title and drop out of both the FA Cup and League Cup.

Liverpool have been linked with a variety of centre-backs ahead of the summer, including Southampton‘s Virgil van Dijk, with the two clubs claimed to be in talks over a possible move.

This has prompted scrutiny over Klopp’s current defensive options, namely backups such as Lucas and Ragnar Klavan.

And according to Turkish outlet Sabah, this could see Lucas make a long-rumoured move to the Super Lig ahead of 2017/18.

They claim that the 30-year-old has already agreed a £2.2 million deal with Galatasaray, as a belated replacement for compatriot Felipe Melo, who left for Inter Milan in 2015.

There is some confusion over whether Lucas is in the final months of his current deal with Liverpool, or has another year left before he can move on a free transfer.

While this report suggests he could leave on a Bosman this summer, the Liverpool Echo‘s James Pearce has previously revealed his contract is set to expire in 2018.

SANTA CLARA, USA - Saturday, July 30, 2016: Liverpool's injured Lucas Leiva during the International Champions Cup 2016 game against AC Milan on day ten of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Levi's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

However, it does seem possible that Lucas could leave this summer, having discussed his future back in January, when he stressed he could depart in search of regular football.

Lucas detailed conversations with Klopp, and hinted that he could seek an exit after previously turning down moves elsewhere.

“I have always been very honest in terms of the trust with him,” he said.

“I had a few options to go. I have to think about my long-term. I know I don’t have many years left here.

“I have to start to think about it. Liverpool is a place I love, there is no doubt about that.

“But this is more about thinking about my future as well. Game time, things like I this. I have to deal with it.”

Klavan, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez seem much less likely to leave the club at the end of the season, with regular links with other centre-backs casting doubt over Lucas’ future.

And at the end of his 10th campaign on Merseyside, it may well be that the veteran has cut his losses and opted for regular game time in Turkey.

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