Liverpool have made a transfer offer for Real Betis centre-defender Aissa Mandi, according to a report from Cadena COPE.
The Reds are apparently looking to bring in the 28-year-old Algerian as a replacement for the departed Dejan Lovren, who left last week for Zenit St Petersburg. A reported €10 million (£9 million) offer has been made to Betis by the Premier League champions.
Despite the 55 times-capped Algeria international having a €30 million release clause, with just one year left on his deal and with the player seemingly reluctant to extend, Betis may be forced to sell to avoid losing their man on a free transfer next summer.
The Spanish club are also believed to be in need of funds to give new manager Manuel Pellegrini money to spend ahead of next season.
Mandi, who has been with Betis for four years after joining from French club Reims, has made 95 appearances for Los Verdiblancos, helping them to a 15th place finish last season playing 30 times.
In 2017/18, he was an integral part of the side that finished 6th in La Liga to earn his side Europa League football the following season.
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Mandi could represent a viable option to immediately replace the role Lovren played in the Liverpool squad, backing up Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip. At only £9 million, he also represents a cheap option with Liverpool having gained around £11 million from the sale of the Croatian.
With plenty of experience at the highest level of football and with the ability to cover at full-back too, Mandi shouldn’t find it too difficult to adapt to the Premier League and he could present the perfect solution for Jurgen Klopp as he looks to fill a hole in his squad.
