[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, an intermediary acting on behalf of Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren met with Serie A giants Milan to discuss a potential move this summer.
What’s the word?
Amid speculation that the Croatia international could be set to depart Anfield this summer, reports in recent weeks had suggested that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was quite insistent on keeping the 30-year-old at the club.
How much money could you make busking for a week as a freestyle footballer? Find out in the video below…
However, according to Calcio Mercato, Lovren remains at the top of Milan’s shopping list and that the reported meeting between the agent and the club lasted over an hour; which according to the publication, is a potential sign that “good progress” had been made.
Much-needed squad depth
First and foremost, why would you want to sell “one of the best defenders in the world”? Perhaps Lovren isn’t quite as good as he thinks himself to be, but there is undeniably a Premier League level centre-back in there. The 30-year-old may have slipped down the pecking order last season, but he still has plenty of top-flight experience that Klopp will no doubt have to call upon over the course of a campaign.
Indeed, in his limited 13 Premier League appearances last season, Lovren averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances per game. Compare that to fan favourite and highly-rated Joe Gomez’s numbers of 1.1 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.4 clearances per game. Statistically the numbers appear to back up the Croatian maintaining his stay at Anfield next season, and he offers such a reliable option for Klopp.
Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Gomez’s injury history is also a cause for concern and is perhaps another huge reason as to why the Reds have so far been reluctant to engage in active talks over Lovren’s exit. As the Reds look to have another crack at the league title next season, the Merseyside club will have to make use of all their resources, and the Croatian is certainly one that they can’t afford to lose at this stage.