Liverpool chief Michael Edwards sent counter-offer as Dejan Lovren replacement deal close

Liverpool are close to signing Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi. However, £1.8million is an obstacle. The Algerian centre-back is on the club's radar as they look to fill the void of Dejan Lovren. Mandi has established himself as a regular at the heart of the Betis defence, the 28-year-old has also been capped 55 times by his country Algeria. According to the print edition of today's Mirror (page 67), the Reds are in talks with Betis over a deal for Mandi. It's claimed that sporting director Michael Edwards has been told the player will move to Liverpool if he can raise his offer by just £1.8million. Liverpool have offered around £9million to bring the star to Anfield. While Mandi has a release clause of £25million, his club are willing to let the player go for £10.8m. Source: Express