Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is reportedly a transfer target for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, who are in the market for defensive reinforcements.
As per a report from German outlet SPORT BILD, Liverpool star Dejan Lovren is being targeted for a summer transfer by Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen.
Lovren has been a subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, having fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool. The Croatian international is in his sixth season with the Merseyside giants, having arrived from Southampton in 2014 and has gone on to make 170 appearances for the club till date, scoring 7 goals.
Lovren had been a regular at the heart of the backline for most of his spell with Liverpool. But, the Croatian has found himself somewhat out of favour over the past year owing to injuries and inconsistent form. This, coupled with the emergence of Joe Gomez and the improvement in form of Joel Matip has pushed Lovren well down the pecking order.
The 30-year-old hasn’t made it to the Liverpool matchday squad for both of their Premier League games so far, as well as their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Chelsea. All this has cast serious question marks over his future at the club, with a move away being strongly mooted.
Lovren has reportedly gathered interest from Italy, where AS Roma are believed to be keen on signing him while AC Milan too had been credited with an interest in the centre-half. And, as per latest reports coming out of Germany, Bayer Leverkusen seem to have joined the pursuit of the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist.
Bayer Leverkusen are looking to bolster their defence after letting in 52 goals in the 2018-19 season – the most by a team in the top eight of the Bundesliga. Die Werkself allowed Tin Jedvaj to join Augsburg on loan for the season, leaving the club with Sven Bender, Jonathan Tah and Aleksandar Dragovic as the experienced options at the heart of the defence, along with youngster Panagiotis Retsos.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz is keen on adding another experienced head to his ranks, which has led the team to the doors of Liverpool. Recent reports had claimed that the Reds were demanding a transfer fee of around €15 million for Lovren, but SPORT BILD states that Leverkusen are hoping to sign the Croatian on a loan deal for €3 million.
Lovren still has two years left on his current contract with Liverpool. But, as things stand it seems like his time at Anfield is nearing an end. It remains to be seen now if he ends up at Roma or finds himself playing for Bayer Leverkusen come next season.
