Liverpool nearing deal for Croatia star Domagoj Vida, but Besiktas' £22m asking price poses a problem

Sport360 staff 19:05 26/07/2018
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  • Liverpool are nearing a deal to bring in Croatia World Cup defensive stalwart Domagoj Vida.

    Personal terms are believed to have been agreed between the 29-year-old ponytailed defender and the Reds, although his current club Besiktas and their £22m asking price appear to be the one stumbling block.

    Vida was a fundamental figure for Croatia this summer, playing a key role in the heart of the Vatreni defence alongside Liverpool ace Dejan Lovren as they reached the final in Russia only to go down to a 4-2 defeat to France.

    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been busy strengthening his squad this summer, and Vida is another addition the German is keen on.

    The Reds are becoming genuine Premier League contenders ahead of the new season, having significantly bolstered the spine of the squad with the arrivals of Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho, as well as Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

    Combine those new faces with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, and it could be argued that the Merseyside giants are primed to mount the most serious title challenge to champions Manchester City.

    Liverpool secured a top-four Premier League finish and reached the Champions League final last season – downed 3-1 by Los Blancos in the final.

    They have previously been heavily criticised by all quarters over their porous backline, and are reportedly eyeing further reinforcements in that department.

    According to The Sun, via Turkish site A Spor, they have reached an agreement on personal terms for Vida, but Besiktas’ asking price is now reportedly what stands in the way of the Croatian international arriving at Anfield.

    As a possible back-up option and quality competition for places for Van Dijk and Lovren, he could be a sensible addition for Liverpool as they look to build a squad capable of competing on various fronts next season and beyond.

    Vida’s no-nonsense style of defending would also suit the Premier League, with his physicality and aerial strength ticking the right boxes for Klopp if a deal can be done.

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