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.

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.”

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.