Liverpool are in progressive negotiations for a Dejan Lovren deal.
Dejan Lovren is open to the idea of leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, and it seems like a buyer has been found.
Jurgen Klopp would like the Croatian to stick around in order to help him with squad depth, but the manager is willing to see him depart if the price is right.
Simon Jones has written in the Mail Online that Liverpool want £15 million for Lovren, a figure Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersberg are unwilling to match – so far.
Zenit have opened negotiations with a £9 million offer as they seek to replace ageing star Branislav Ivanovic, wrote Jones.
Lovren, who turned 31-years-old this season, wants more regular football and the Russians could offer him that. He has one year left on his contract, but Liverpool have indicated that they want to extend it in order to protect his value.
This isn’t the first time the defender has been linked with a move away. There was some talk of Lovren being used as a makeweight in a deal that would bring Kalidou Koulibaly to Anfield, although that has since died down.
The World Cup finalist has been used as cover to Joel Matip, but got himself ahead of Joe Gomez in the pecking order before injuries sent him back down to fourth choice.
Those two combinations have restricted the former Southampton man to just 15 appearances this season and it appears as if his seven-year association with Liverpool is drawing to a close.
If Lovren leaves, Klopp will surely turn to the transfer market for a replacement. Teenager Sepp van den Berg isn’t anywhere near the first team, while Ki-Jana Hoever appears to be in the first stages of his development.
We’ve seen Fabinho used as defensive cover, but he’s best situated to a midfield role and Klopp won’t want to take the Brazilian away from his best position for an extended period of time.
What do you think, should Liverpool let Dejan Lovren leave for £15 million or should they accept the lower offer?