Croatian sports news outlet Sportske Novosti, a daily publication based in Zagreb, claims that the deal to take Dejan Lovren to AS Roma is done, with an announcement expected imminently.
The report claims that ‘trusted sources’ have confirmed a deal is in place, and that the Reds accepted an offer on Tuesday. That deal is said to be an initial loan, but with an obligation to buy next summer for a fee of around €17 million.
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The only part of the deal still to be closed is an agreement on the number of matches Lovren would need to play for the obligation to buy to apply, though that is expected to be resolved by the end of the week, when the announcement can be made.
Lovren wants first-team football and still believes he is good enough to get that. The 30-year-old’s place in the national team could be under threat if he’s not playing regularly.
It makes sense to let him leave on that basis, but at the same time, it still seems like a massive risk – he made 18 appearances for the Reds in all competitions last season, so letting him go without being able to replace him seems odd.