Liverpool FC have reportedly stepped up their pursuit for Aissa Mandi by tabling a €10 million bid for the Real Betis defender. A move for Mandi comes amid the Reds requiring another center-back in their squad following the departure of Dejan Lovren to Zenit.
The Merseyside club’s boss Jurgen Klopp has identified the 28-year old to be an ideal replacement for Lovren. Mandi could provide competition to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for a spot in Liverpool FC’s starting lineup. However, it is believed that the Algerian international would function in more of a squad-rotation role at Anfield.
The center-back’s release clause with Real Betis is much higher than the initial offer submitted by the Premier League champions. A €30 million fee is reported to be Mandi’s release clause with the La Liga side. However, the 28-year old’s current deal with the club expires next summer.
Real Betis do not want to lose out on their star defender for nothing following the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2020-21 season. As a result, the Spanish club are open to sanctioning the Algerian international’s sale this summer. However, a €10 million bid may not suffice the La Liga side’s financial requirements ahead of next season.
With the appointment of a new manager in Manuel Pellegrini for the 2020-21 campaign, Betis are hoping to increase their fund sources this summer. And Mandi’s sale could bring in a significant amount of money at Pellegrini’s disposal in the current transfer window.
The 28-year old himself is reported to be keen on securing a move elsewhere upon his contract’s expiry. Repeated attempts from the Betis management to extend Mandi’s current deal have proven futile. The center-back could be on his way out of the Spanish club as soon as this summer.
If Liverpool FC’s bid is accepted by the La Liga side and personal terms are agreed upon with the Algerian international, Mandi would become the Merseyside giant’s first signing of the summer. The Premier League champions have not made any changes to their title-winning squad as of yet.
