Mixed reports on Reds star’s departure suggest exit could prove complicated

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Dejan Lovren has been linked with a move to both AS Roma and AC Milan this summer, and with the Italian transfer window still open for a couple of weeks, the Croatian could still depart despite the Reds being unable to sign a replacement.

If the centre-back was to go to Italy, or indeed elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp reportedly has sufficient faith in Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp van den Berg for the upcoming campaign to be comfortable with the defensive situation.

In terms of Lovren leaving, however, there are mixed reports as to the current state of play.

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Sky in Italy, via Football Italia, report that Lovren is on the verge of signing for Roma in a deal worth up to €25 million. That would be an initial loan for a season, with an obligation to purchase once Lovren plays a certain number of matches.

Football Insider, though, say that the Reds have no interest in accepting that deal, and would only sanction a permanent transfer, with no loan period first.

A loan deal with an obligation to buy would be a slight risk if the Croatian was to return next summer having not featured as much as he needed to in order for the full deal to go through, but the chances are, he would play enough for that number to be hit.

If Lovren pushes for a move away, Klopp will not block that from happening if reasonable terms can be agreed. He’s already shown in the past that he is not prepared to keep players who don’t want to be at the club.

There is no suggestion that Lovren will kick up a fuss should he not leave in the next couple of weeks, but it does seem likely that he will depart before the window closes given it is no secret that he would prefer to play regularly elsewhere.

Keeping Lovren, though, would not be a bad thing, given the Reds only have four senior central defenders including the Croatian.

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