Southampton have made a huge £75m move for the deals between West Ham and Liverpool for their season opener on Friday night.
The Championship season begins tonight with West Ham and Liverpool keeping an eye on Southampton.
West Ham have been closely linked with a move for Saints captain James Ward-Prourage.
And Liverpool are trying to sign Belgian midfielder from Southampton, Romeo Lavia.
The Hammers have received the latest offer of £30m, including additional terms, rejected by the relegated south coast club and threatened to walk away from the deal as the Saints insisted that they wanted close to £40 million.
And Liverpool saw their own improved £40m offer for Lavia rejected earlier this week, with Sky Sports claiming Southampton wanted £50m for the former Man City star.
Football Insider has claimed West Ham ‘remains confident’ of a deal for Ward-Prourage.
And Sky Sports claim West Ham and Liverpool have not given up on their respective transfer targets despite being pushed back.
Now, Southampton have hammered out a huge £75m deal for West Ham and Liverpool deals for their season opener on Friday night.
The Saints kick off the Championship season in Sheffield on Wednesday, Friday night.
‘I don’t know what will change between now and then’
Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed transfer targets Lavia and Ward-Pr’s will be involved in their Championship opener.
“West Ham and Liverpool have not given up on their respective transfer targets but are looking at alternatives as both players will feature in Southampton’s season opener against Sheffield on Wednesday night. Live. on Sky Sports,” the report said. Statuses.
“Both will be involved on Friday night, as they are,” Martin said at his pre-match press conference.
“I don’t know what will change after that. Do I think they will be Southampton players at the end of the transfer window? I do not know.”
Brinkmanship or unnecessary risk? Any last minute withdrawal will be a telltale sign
It could be a ploy by Southampton to force Hammer and Liverpool to pay more.
But if true, it is a very risky strategy of the Championship club.
They are essentially risking £75m playing the duo, as the money is guaranteed if they agree.
An injury to either can sabotage any transaction. And with the club having already lost more than £100m in revenue next season, it’s a big bet. It remains to be seen whether the decision prompts improved offers from West Ham or Liverpool.
But if either is pulled from the game on Wednesday at the last minute, that indicates something is on the way.
