As Liverpool attempt to sell a number of fringe players this summer in order to boost the budget available to Jurgen Klopp, a former squad member could be about to lend an expected hand.
Signed from Sevilla for £6.8million in 2013 (BBC), the Spanish attacking midfielder failed to make the desired mark on Merseyside.
Various loan spells and just 12 appearances for the Reds later, Alberto was sold to Lazio in 2016 for £3.6million (Transfermarkt).
Having flourished in the Italian capital, the 28-year-old looks to be attempting to force a move elsewhere.
According to a report from Football Italia, the Serie A side will demand a fee in excess of €50million (£42.7million) for their man.
With interest coming from giants such as Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan, the Reds could be about to be in receipt of a 30 per cent sell-on clause – potentially around £12.8million.
Twitter:
It seems like former Liverpool player Luis Alberto is trying to force a move out of Lazio. Liverpool have a 30% se… https://t.co/rlVPJ5PRea (@LFCTransferRoom)
Despite a desire from new manager Maurizio Sarri to keep Alberto, the ex-Chelsea boss was less than impressed as the midfielder failed to show for pre-season training, explaining that ‘certain situations must still be clarified’ during a press conference.
Last season Alberto scored nine and assisted two other goals in 34 Serie A outings.
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Valued at £40.5million and under contract at Lazio until 2025 (Transfermarkt), the Italian’s certainly hold all the cards in terms of a possible transfer.
However, as Liverpool fans are unfortunately well versed in when players begin to force their hand towards a move, it’s a difficult train to halt.
This time the Reds could be on the winning side as a £10million plus windfall would be as welcomed as the sale of a current squad player.
