PSG’s winger hunt puts Liverpool on verge of signing Lavezzi
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Liverpool’s courtship of Paris St-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is one of the most protracted in the transfer-rumour sphere, but it could finally be about to bear fruit.
Renewed optimism over a successful deal lies with PSG closing in on a replacement for the Argentine.
Lavezzi’s compatriot and long-term Manchester United target Nicolas Gaitan is thought to be available for £30m from Benfica.
PSG manager Laurent Blanc is keen to get the Gaitain deal sanctioned and previous big spends from the wealthy French champions suggests that shouldn’t be a major problem.
Offloading Lavezzi to make room is an important cog in the wheel of this transfer though, playing into Liverpool’s hands as the Reds begin reshaping their flat-lining forward line.
The 29-year-old could be purchased for a very modest fee of £8m, so Brendan Rodgers shouldn’t have to do much arm-twisting at Anfield either.
Rodgers seems to accept that summer recruits Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have fallen way short of the required mark, with both players linked to moves away in January.
Lavezzi has been a regular Champions League participant in the last five years, first for Napoli and latterly for PSG, although the Argentina international has struggled with the intense competition for places at the Parc des Princes this season.
Liverpool, who are priced at 6/1 for a top-four finish having closed the gap to five points, look certain to offer more first-team opportunities even with Daniel Sturridge’s expected return to fitness.
In Rodgers’ preferred 3-4-3 formation which has inspired the Reds’ recent resurgence, the versatile Lavezzi would be a perfect for one of the wider forward berths.
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