Arsenal are weighing up a bid for relegated star Romeo Lavia this summer as they look to pivot away from Moises Caicedo, after deeming the price for the Brighton midfielder too steep this summer.
The Gunners are already locked in talks for two stars this summer, with two bids having been tabled for West Ham skipper Declan Rice and one bid for 24-year-old attacker Kai Havertz having already been rejected by Chelsea, though there is confidence that a deal can be struck for less than the £75m asking price set by the west London side.
According to the Guardian, however, their recruitment will not stop there and within the north London club ‘talks have been held over moving for Lavia’, who only joined Southampton 12 months ago in a deal from Manchester City.
They add that the midfielder, who was a central part of a relegated Saints side last season, ‘is likely to leave Southampton… and is valued at £45m’, with Chelsea and Liverpool both also having been linked with the Belgian teenager.
The Gunners are ‘likely to push for a lower fee’, but could face plenty of competition for Lavia’s signature should they push forward with a move, with other midfield options also thought to be under consideration.
Initially keen on Moises Caicedo and seeing three bids turned down in January for the Ecuador midfielder, Brighton’s pricetag of £100m+ has seen them cool that, and they are now set to look elsewhere.
