Liverpool’s failed bid for the striker put them in a difficult position towards the end of the transfer window.
Italian paper Il Messaggero has been discussing the future of Baldé Keita, the Lazio forward.
The publication reveals that the Italian side received €20m bids from Juventus and Liverpool in the summer, but rebuffed the advances as they are looking for €30m for the striker.
The Spanish born player was one of several forwards Liverpool bid for in the summer, but after failing to die down any deals they were left with no option other than Mario Balotelli, a decision which has backfired horribly.
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The Reds will now be kicking themselves that they didn’t stump up the extra €10m that Lazio president Claudio Lotito was looking for for Keita. Injuries have restricted the young forward to just three starts this season, playing mainly from the left hand side, but he has still managed two goals.
Now on the verge of returning from injury, Lazio hope that the pacy attacker can come off the bench next weekend when they play Juventus, and show the Turin club that they too missed out by not stumping up the cash for the player.
Liverpool may move for the 19-year-old again in January, but they will face more competition this time – Il Messaggero also say that Arsenal have been closely watching the player’s development.