Liverpool and Roma in talks over £15m defender Lovren's transfer (Times)

Liverpool and AS Roma are locked in talks over a transfer for Dejan Lovren.

Croatian international Lovren has been demoted to the Reds' fourth choice, behind Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Jurgen Klopp had placed a £18.5million price tag on Lovren, with £13.9m wanted up front and the rest made up in add-ons.

But according to the Times, the Reds would accept a fee of £15m as they continue their negotiations with the Italian club.

Roma will be hoping that their 'strong relationship' with Liverpool , helped by the signings of Mohamed Salah and Alisson in recent windows, will strengthen their chances of signing Lovren.

They could still face a challenge for his signature from Serie A rivals AC Milan, who have also been linked with the 30-year-old this summer.

The former Southampton defender was not part of the Reds' opening day match day squad, as Klopp decided to start with van Dijk and Gomez, with Matip his spare on the bench.

Despite the transfer window shutting for Premier League clubs to sign players, Italian sides, and rest of mainland Europe, have until September 2 to complete any deals.