Liverpool Identify La Liga’s $35M Defender As Dejan Lovren’s Replacement: Report

Liverpool FC reportedly have identified Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi as an ideal replacement for Dejan Lovren, who has left the Anfield side to join Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg.

Mandi, who is tipped to leave Real Betis this summer, has just one more year left in his current contract and the La Liga side would want to cash in on the player. Mandi, who moved from French side Reims to Real Betis in 2016 for a mere fee of $3.3 million, has been a key member of the squad over the last couple of years and has already made 141 competitive appearances for the Spanish side. Out of which, 95 came in La Liga, where he has also chipped in with four goals.

While Real Betis have labeled Mandi at $35 million this summer, Liverpool are planning to make an official bid of $11 million. According to a report in Spanish media outlet COPE, Real Betis are willing to accept a lowered fee for Mandi after their 31-year-old Moroccan defender Zouhair Feddal’s move to Sporting Lisbon fell through at the ongoing summer transfer window.

The report has further claimed that Liverpool have decided to take advantage of this situation as boss Jurgen Klopp wants to add more depth in their defense that already includes Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, and injury-prone Joe Gomez.

Considering the current financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, a deal of $11 million could be a steal for The Reds. Mandi is expected to bring along a rich experience to Liverpool after he has impressed in the backline of Real Betis alongside Marc Bartra. The duo has brought variety in Real Betis’ defense and Mandi is expected to flourish along with the likes of Van Dijk, Matip, and Gomez.

Liverpool recently ended their 30-year wait when they clinched the league title. The 2019-20 title was also their maiden Premier League trophy, which was Klopp’s fourth trophy as Liverpool boss after Champions League, Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.