Right back for Liverpool Jurgen Klopp’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia this summer may hinge on the assistance of Conor Bradley.

According to The Times, Southampton rejected Liverpool’s £47 million offer for Lavia last week in favor of a higher offer of £50 million for the Belgian player.

On Monday, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano tweeted, “Liverpool second bid for Roméo Lavia, in the region of £45m package and ready since last week — to be sent soon.” The Reds are generally anticipated to return with a better offer.

Following Bradley’s injury, though, Klopp’s pursuit of the 19-year-old has taken on a new sense of urgency.

Because of this, Trent Alexander-Arnold had to play right back instead of his more familiar No. 6 position for Liverpool in their 4-0 preseason victory over Leicester on Tuesday.

This highlighted Klopp’s need for a fresh No. 6, and meant that 18-year-old James McConell had to play in a position he had never played before.

The Athletic’s James Peare reported an update on the transfer saga involving Romeo Lavia, writing, “Talks with Southampton over a deal for defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia remain ongoing.”

With only two weeks until the season kicks off on the road against Chelsea, “the prospect of the young Belgian operating with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai either side is certainly appealing,” as the article puts it.

The competition to recruit Lavia has heated up, with reports that Manchester United and an undisclosed overseas club have entered the fray.

Chelsea have shown interest in Lavia as a possible replacement for their drawn-out pursuit of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. Lavia made 29 appearances in the Premier League last season.