Liverpool Handed Huge Boost As Ace Hands In Formal Transfer Request To Force Move

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Liverpool have received a boost in their pursuit of Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool have been handed a major boost with reports claiming key target Dejan Lovren has handed in a formal transfer request to force a move away from Southampton.

Lovren has just enjoyed an excellent debut season in the Premier League following a £7m move from Lyon last summer, and he played a key role in helping the Saints to an eight-placed finish last season.

Him impressive form has led to interest from Liverpool with Brendan Rodgers keen on taking the Croatian international to Anfield to help shore up a leaky defence which arguably cost the Merseysiders the title last year.

However, Southampton have so far refused to do business for the centre-back and it seems Lovren has decided to take matters into his own hands to force a move away from the club.

The Daily Mail are reporting that the 24-year-old wrote an email to Saints executive director Les Reed and chairman Ralph Krueger on May 30th informing them he wants to leave the club, stating his ambition to play in the Champions League as the main reason he wants a move.

It’s also believed that Lovren stated the exit of Mauricio Pochettino played a part in his decision, and the news will be a welcome boost to Liverpool’s hopes of luring the defender to Anfield.

However, interestingly, the newspaper suggests that so far Southampton have failed to acknowledge receipt of the email, so they may be set to dig their heels in and refuse to grant the defender the exit he wants, meaning Liverpool may have to wait if they want to get their hands on Lovren this summer.

I’m sure a drawn out saga is the last thing Brendan Rodgers wants as the Northern Irishman has been extremely pro-active in getting his business done early so far this summer with the Reds having already completed the £4m signing of Rickie Lambert and are believed to be making good head-way in a deal for Alberto Moreno.

While Southampton may be reluctant to let Lovren go, I’m sure in the end they will sell as it’s never a good idea to keep hold of an unhappy player and they should almost double their money, which will give them funds to strengthen the squad with, so I’d still expect the player to end up joining Liverpool this summer.