Liverpool close to signing Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg for £4.2m22:30, 17 JUL 2016 UPDATED 22:49, 17 JUL 2016
BY JAMES PEARCE
Centre back will add competition to Jurgen Klopp's injury-hit squad
Liverpool are closing in on a £4.2million deal for FC Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan. Signing a centre-back has been a priority for Jurgen Klopp following injuries to Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez, and the Reds boss has decided the experienced Estonia captain fits the bill. Discussions with the Bundesliga outfit are ongoing but Liverpool are hoping to secure the 30-year-old's signature this week for around 5million Euros (£4.2million) plus add-ons. Klavan impressed when he played for Augsburg against Liverpool in both legs of last season's Europa League last 32 tie which Klopp's side won 1-0 on aggregate. The 6ft 1ins defender, who has won more than 100 caps for Estonia, is viewed as the ideal replacement for Kolo Toure, who was released at the end of last season. Klopp has been keen to bring in a left-sided centre-back to provide cover following the recent injury setbacks.
As well as the departure of Toure and the £5.5million sale of Martin Skrtel to Fenerbahce, Liverpool have seen Sakho and Gomez sidelined by Achilles issues. Tiago Ilori, who faces an uncertain future, will also miss the start of the season as he's representing Portugal at the Olympics. That left Klopp with just two fit senior centre-backs in Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren.
Matip limped off during the closing stages of Liverpool's 2-0 friendly win over Wigan Athletic on Sunday after complaining of discomfort in his ankle but Klopp is confident it's only a minor issue.
Liverpool went for a short-term option like Klavan as Klopp is a big admirer of Gomez, who damaged his Achilles after recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament which forced him to miss most of last season.
Klavan started his career at FC Elva in his homeland before spells with Tulevik and Flora.
A loan stint at Valerenga in Norway was soon followed by a permanent switch to Dutch club Heracles Almelo in 2005.
Four years later he signed for AZ Alkmaar and helped them clinch the title.
In 2012 he joined Augsburg and quickly established himself as a key member of their side.
Klopp is a big admirer of his talents and after four years in Germany, Klavan looks destined for Anfield.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-close-signing-ragnar-klavan-11627237 [ 此帖被羅力亞在2016-07-20 19:05重新編輯 ]
