Liverpool ‘prepare opening bid’ for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia
Liverpool prepare opening bid for £50m-valued Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia as Jurgen Klopp looks for more recruits after Dominik Szoboszlai… with Arsenal and Chelsea also keen on the Belgian
- Lavia, 19, came through the academy ranks at Anderlecht and Manchester City
- He only came to Southampton last summer, but they then suffered relegation
- Liverpool will reportedly make the opening bid for a player worth £50 million
Liverpool are reportedly preparing an opening bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia – who has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.
Saints value the Belgian defensive midfielder, 19, at around £50 million.
Lavia went through the youth academy at Anderlecht and Manchester City before signing for Southampton last summer.
He made 34 appearances in all competitions for the St Mary’s club during his first season, but was unable to save them from relegation from the Premier League.
TalkSPORT are now reporting that Liverpool are trying to steal a march on their rivals by making an opening bid for Lavia.
Liverpool are reportedly preparing an opening bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia
The 19-year-old Belgium international has caught the attention of several top clubs in the Premier League
They say Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields, who joined them from Southampton, recommended Lavia to incoming coach Mauricio Pochettino.
But The Blues are looking at other goals to bolster their midfield.
Manchester City has a buyback option on the Belgian, but it will not take effect until next summer.
City did, however, include a clause in the deal entitling them to 20 per cent of any future sale, earning them £10 million if someone matches Saints’ asking price.
Arsenal have also been linked with Lavia, but they have prioritized signing West Ham’s Declan Rice in that position.
Refurbishing the midfield has been Jürgen Klopp’s priority this summer and so far they have brought in two attacking players.
Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister joined from Brighton for £35 million, while they confirmed the £60 million arrival of Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp prioritized midfielder reinforcements ahead of new season as Liverpool look to return to battle for silverware
Liverpool have confirmed the £60 million signing of Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai joins Alexis Mac Allister, who signed for £35m from Brighton last month
However, Lavia would offer them another skill. His goal in Southampton’s 2-1 win over Chelsea last season made him the first player born in 2004 to score in the Premier League.
He also received his first call-up to the Belgium squad in March, making his debut in their 3–2 win over Germany.
Liverpool saw midfielders Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all leave the club this summer. Fabio Carvalho comes to Leipzig on a rental basis.
