Liverpool told to stump up £18m for Alberto Moreno

Posted Friday, June 06, 2014 by Goal.com

Sevilla have already rejected a bid of £16.2m plus Suso for the Spain Under-21 left-back, but are expected to sanction a deal shortly amid rumours the player has agreed a contract

Liverpool have been told to stump up €22 million (£17.8m) for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno, Goal has learned.

Reports in Spain on Thursday evening suggest that the Reds have already agreed a five-year deal with the Spain Under-21 international.

But they are still to finalise an agreement with the Andalusian club, having already seen a bid of €20m (£16.2m) plus attacking midfielder Suso rejected, although the deal is expected to be pushed through imminently.

Sevilla, who won the Europa League and finished fifth in La Liga last season, had been monitoring Suso during his loan at Almeria but were put off by the off-the-field issues which plagued his return to Spain and have no interest in bringing him to the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Merseysiders had hoped to capitalise on the Spanish club's previous interest in their 20-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Cadiz's youth set-up in 2010 but is yet to establish himself in England.

Goal understands Sevilla also have little interest in Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado, who had been linked as part of a swap deal for Moreno.

The Primera Division outfit are happy with current forwards Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro, and are instead looking for a young striker to play a reserve role rather than an established international like Soldado.

Liverpool have acted quickly in this summer's transfer window, having already wrapped up a deal to bring in England striker Rickie Lambert from Southampton for around £4.5m, which could rise to £9m depending on performances.

Earlier on Thursday they announced an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen's Emre Can, and on the final day of the Premier League season they lodged a £20m bid for Lambert's Saints team-mate Adam Lallana, and have since returned with a final £25m offer.