Following Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister, Liverpool want to add Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia as their third summer addition. The Saints value the Belgian player at £50 million, while Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in signing him. The Reds had a £37 million deal for him rejected. In relation to Lavia’s move to Liverpool, Express Sport compiles all the most recent information.
Chelsea’s hijack
Chelsea is considering a move to acquire Lavia after failing in their attempt to get Moises Caicedo from Brighton. The Ecuadorian is being sought after by the Seagulls for £100 million.
The Blues have had two bids – the latest being £80m – rejected for Caicedo, 21. Per The Times, Mauricio Pochettino is weighing up whether to move for 19-year-old Lavia as a cheaper alternative.
The kid is rumoured to be keen on the idea of working with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but any deal is entirely dependant upon the Reds making an acceptable offer to Southampton, which they have not yet done.
Jurgen Klopp’s hints
After losing captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia, where Fabinho is also travelling, Liverpool manager Klopp has made it obvious that he is looking for extra midfielders.
It’s obviously vital to strengthen in midfield, the German declared after a Lavia bid was turned down. That much is obvious: we must act.
“We are working on solutions. First people want changes, now everyone is worrying about the changes. We are really optimistic about it. Excited as well.”
Talks continue this week
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed to Caught Offside that talks between Liverpool and Southampton will continue this week to wrap up an agreement.
The south coast club are insisting on a £50m package with Liverpool valuing him at slightly less. Lavia is the ‘priority’ target for Klopp and co per Romano who also added that it is possible more midfielders follow after him.
The Merseyside club are aware of Chelsea’s interest and are looking to secure his signature before the Blues can hijack talks.
Next signing
Liverpool will look at signing a new centre-back once Lavia is brought in, according to Romano speaking to soccerhuz.com. The Italian said that a new defender will only be brought in if they are the right player.
Levi Colwill of Chelsea is the dream target but appears unobtainable. Other names linked include Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Vin and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace.
