£25m deal now ‘really complicated’ at Anfield

Liverpool are likely to be frustrated in their attempts to sign RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer as the Anfield hierarchy are expecting negotiations to be ‘really complicated’, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds may have already smashed their transfer record since the summer window opened for business, thanks to Darwin Nunez’s £85million switch from Benfica, but boss Jurgen Klopp could add further reinforcements ahead of tomorrow’s 11pm deadline.

What’s the latest news involving Laimer?

According to German media outlet Kicker, via the Liverpool Echo, Klopp is exploring the possibility of being able to get a late deal for Laimer over the line.

The report suggests Leipzig could be willing to sanction the 24-cap Austria international’s departure for a fee worth in the region of £25million.

There are serious doubts over where Laimer’s long-term future lies as he has entered the final 12 months of his £49,000-per-week contract with the Bundesliga giants.

Although Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff has told Leipziger Volkszeitung – via TEAMtalk – that he is expecting the central midfielder to remain with his current employers, he has failed to rule out the possibility of a deal being struck at the eleventh hour.

However, in a blow to Liverpool, Laimer has reportedly set his sights on sealing a move to Bayern Munich amid interest from the Allianz Arena.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Laimer?

Romano understands that, behind the scenes, Liverpool are not confident of securing Laimer’s services ahead of the transfer window slamming shut.

The respected Italian journalist is aware that the Reds’ hierarchy feel it will be difficult to agree on a fee with Leipzig at this late stage.

As a result, he feels it is unlikely that Laimer will be making the switch to Anfield and Klopp will need to focus on alternative targets.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT: “The feeling internally at Liverpool is that it’s really complicated to negotiate with Leipzig and so it’s unlikely that they will sign Laimer in the final hours of the market.”

Why is Laimer of interest to Liverpool?

Klopp has performed a U-turn and admitted he will make a move for a central midfielder if the right option is available due to Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones currently being on the sidelines through injury.

Laimer may not offer Premier League experience, but he has made more than 160 appearances for Leipzig and shown that he can be a threat in the final third of the pitch by chalking up 11 goals and 18 assists.

The 25-year-old is also accustomed to winning silverware, having completed the domestic double three times while on Red Bull Salzburg’s books and gone on to clinch the DFB-Pokal with Leipzig, so he would need no time adjusting to Liverpool’s high standards.

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