According to The Mirror (02/08, p67), Liverpool have been told to raise their bid for Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi by just £1.8million.
It’s claimed that Liverpool have offered £9million to sign Mandi, despite him having a release clause in his deal worth around £25million.
Yet with Mandi having just one year left on his contract, Betis are under pressure to sell – and have told Liverpool to raise their offer to £10.8million.
That isn’t a huge increase for Liverpool if they really want Mandi, who appears to have been identified as a replacement for Dejan Lovren.
Lovren has moved on to Zenit St Petersburg, and Jurgen Klopp appears to be keen on adding another experienced defender in his place.
Mandi turns 29 in October, and has racked up 55 caps for Algeria, meaning he can slot in as Lovren’s replacement if needed whilst even providing cover at right back in an emergency.
Formerly of Reims in France, Mandi has proven himself in France and now Spain, with a move to England possibly the next step.
Another £1.8million wouldn’t break the bank for Liverpool, and the ball is now in their court as they consider a new bid for the 6ft tall centre back.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
