Rodgers willing to offload Lucas to match Southampton’s valuation of Lovren.
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Liverpool are hoping to pay up Southampton’s £25 million asking price for ace central defender Dejan Lovren by offloading Brazilian enforcer Lucas Leiva, reports the Daily Express.
The 27-year old midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Reds, who recently signed German youth international star Emre Can from Bayer Leverkusen, and believe that the 20-year old can fill-in adequately for Lucas.
Lucas only featured 29 times for the Merseysiders last season owing to injury troubles and it seems as though manager Brendan Rodgers finds better use for the defensive midfielder by cashing in on him to fund a move for Lovren.
Liverpool have already bid £20 million for the wantaway Saints’ star, who admitted that he is desperate to move to Anfield at any cost, and are now looking to make up the £5 million shortfall by selling Lucas.
The Brazilian international is wanted by Napoli, but on a loan with an option to buy deal, while the Reds are hoping to negotiate a straight cash deal to help them with their pursuit of Lovren.
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