Liverpool have reportedly identified an alternative to Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer.
The Reds look set to miss out on a second midfielder to Chelsea in a matter of days, with The Athletic's David Ornstein reporting that Lavia has decided to move to Stamford Bridge.
That is despite Liverpool agreeing a £60 million fee for the 19-year-old, as per Sky Sports - a higher figure than Southampton's £50 million valuation.
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But Chelsea have remained in the race, having been interested in signing the Belgian throughout the summer.
They have not yet reached an agreement, however - in a repeat of the Moises Caicedo saga, where the Ecuador international reportedly told Brighton of his desire to join Chelsea despite no agreement between the two clubs.
While Chelsea have now signed Caicedo for a British record fee of £115 million, meanwhile, they are closing in on another deal that will provide yet another blow to Liverpool in this transfer window.
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The Reds will now need to search for alternatives - and they may have found one.
Liverpool identify Romeo Lavia alternative
Speaking to Good Morning Eredivisie (via ESPN NL), former Manchester City midfielder Kiki Musampa confirmed that Liverpool are one of three clubs to have expressed interest in PSV star Ibrahim Sangare.
Musampa, who is the brother of Sangare's agent, explained: "For those kinds of clubs, these are amounts that they can cough up. Nottingham Forest did bid, but that was not enough. You want to bring him to the club that suits him and where he will have opportunities to play."
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The amount in question is reportedly €37 million (around £32 million) - Sangare's release clause at PSV.
A tough-tackling defensive midfielder, the 25-year-old is also strong at keeping possession as well as dribbling through the centre of the pitch.
Having made 29 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, the Ivory Coast midfielder is a reliable figure, and also contributed five goals as well.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool added Sangare to their shortlist back in April - meaning that, despite the slightly panicked nature of the Reds' transfer window at this stage, fans can rest easy that the player will have been thoroughly assessed by the club's scouts.
Featured Image Credit: Getty / Twitter/@TransfersTopics: Liverpool, Chelsea, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Premier League, Transfers