Liverpool are set to step up their pursuit of Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca, and are ready to meet his release clause, according to Darren Lewis of The Mirror.
Ian Herbert of The Independent also reported on Wednesday evening that the Reds’ managing director Ian Ayre is staying in Chile for another day as he begins work to sign a striker.
After flying to the South American country on Monday, Ayre has acted swiftly to conclude a deal for Roberto Firmino, and is now pursuing a move for either 28-year-old Bacca or Salomon Rondon, as the possibility of signing Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke decreases.
Villa are seeking a bid close to Benteke’s release clause of £32.5 million and this has prompted the Reds to turn their attentions elsewhere.
After Liverpool announced the Firmino transfer in the early hours of Wednesday, Ayre has chosen to remain in Chile in order to gauge the possibility of signing another South American.
However, it is thought that the deal for either Bacca or Rondon is not close.
Bacca’s club Sevilla will be keen for interested clubs to activate his release clause which is £21 million while Rondon’s club Zenit St. Petersburg would be willing to sell him for a fee of £15 million.
Liverpool are also interested in Real Madrid’s Denis Cheryshev and Rafa Benitez’s new club expect a bid for him.
