Liverpool are reportedly set to step up their pursuit of Domagoj Vida, who has been slapped with a €30 million price tag by Besiktas
According to a report by Turkish publication Milliyet, Liverpool are expected to send officials to Turkey to initiate talks with Besiktas over a possible move for Domagoj Vida in the summer transfer window. The Black Eagles have set a €30 million price tag on the Croatian defender, who is also being tailed by Everton and West Ham United.
Vida has only been at Besiktas for a little over six months, having joined the Turkish giants after a fruitful five-year stint with Dynamo Kiev. While he quickly established himself as a regular at Vodafone Park, the 29-year-old enjoyed arguably the best month of his career during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As Croatia reached the final of the tournament, Vida was a pivotal player for the surprise finalists with his solid performances at the back. Croatia may have failed to win the World Cup for the very first time in the end. But, the player’s stock has skyrocketed since then, with Liverpool among the clubs showing an interest in him.
The Reds have been busy in the summer transfer window, with four players joining the squad. With the four new arrivals reinforcing midfield, attack and goalkeeping departments, defence is the only area that Liverpool haven’t addressed thus far. But, that could change with the arrival of Vida.
The 29-year-old though, is likely being courted by Liverpool with the objective of boosting squad depth instead of being a regular starter. Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren are firmly established as the first-choice central defensive partnership. Beyond the duo, however, the likes of Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan has failed to cut reliable figures in the opportunities afforded to them.
Vida’s arrival would thus, boost Jurgen Klopp’s central defensive options while also providing some stiff competition for regular places to van Dijk and Lovren. The player’s strong understanding with Lovren at the international level also bodes well for Liverpool, who are now set to step up their interest in him.
The Reds are set to send officials to Istanbul to initiate talks with Besiktas over a possible deal. The Black Eagles, meanwhile, have slapped a €30 million price tag, which shouldn’t prove to be much an obstacle for Liverpool.
Besiktas have already rejected bids from Everton and West Ham United for Vida, suggesting that they are unlikely to waver from their valuation of the player. Should Liverpool shell out the required sum, they are likely to quickly secure the 29-year-old’s services, as they also have Champions League football on offer.
While he is unlikely to arrive till after the season has begun, Vida has the potential to be a solid addition at Anfield. It now remains to be seen if Liverpool are able to stave off competition from Everton and West Ham to sign the player.
