Liverpool and Arsenal are engaged in discussions with representatives of Romeo Lavia regarding a potential transfer for the Southampton midfielder, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. The player’s entourage is in contact with multiple clubs, but the Premier League duo has emerged as strong contenders.
Lavia’s Rise to Prominence
Romeo Lavia made a name for himself last season at Southampton, despite the team’s struggles. The vibrant Belgian midfielder joined the club from Manchester City in a deal worth €12.3 million. Lavia’s former manager, Pep Guardiola, holds him in high regard, as evidenced by City’s buy-back clause of €40 million, which can only be activated next summer. This provides an opportunity for other clubs to pursue the rising star.
Liverpool and Arsenal to face Competition over Romeo Lavia Signature
Apart from Liverpool and Arsenal, Lavia has also attracted interest from other Premier League contenders. Most significant being Chelsea. After witnessing his exceptional performance against them early last season, Chelsea wasted no time in making an offer, despite Lavia’s recent affiliation with Southampton. However, Southampton rejected the proposal, but it did not dampen Chelsea’s enthusiasm for the talented midfielder.
Nevertheless, the real battle for Lavia’s signature seems to be unfolding between Liverpool and Arsenal. Arsenal has been working on a potential deal for Lavia for the past two weeks, but they have yet to submit an official bid, despite the hefty price tag of €58 million associated with the Belgian.
Meanwhile, Liverpool has entered the race with confirmation from Fabrizio Romano about their pursuit of the young starlet. Liverpool is not merely observing from the sidelines but is actively engaged in negotiations to secure Lavia’s services.
Liverpool’s Pursuit of a Dominant Midfield
The pursuit of Romeo Lavia continues. Nevertheless, Liverpool remains interested in other midfield targets, including Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch, remains unaffected. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Liverpool’s pursuit of Thuram is still on their agenda, indicating that they are actively looking to strengthen their midfield options.
Height has been a topic of discussion when considering Lavia’s potential signing, as he stands at 5’11”. In contrast, Thuram and Gravenberch possess significant physical presence at 6’4″ and 6’3″ respectively. However, it is essential to consider other qualities such as technical ability, dynamism, and physicality when evaluating midfield options.
Liverpool pursuing Lavia indicates their desire to build a dominant midfield comprising technically gifted players who can contribute both in possession and in battles on the field. While height is a factor to consider, it is not the sole criterion for their search.
Follow Six Sports on Twitter for more.
