Liverpool have been given the green light by Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia to pursue a move as Fabinho nears a switch to Saudi Arabia, but Jurgen Klopp’s side are yet to make a bid for the teenage star.
The Reds have undergone massive changes in midfield already this summer, signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton in a deal worth a potential £55m and shelling out £60m for Hungarian midfield star Dominik Szoboszlai as they look to bounce back from a disappointing fifth-placed finish last season.
The departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have left further gaps to be plugged, however, and they have identified Southampton’s Lavia as a potential solution despite being warned by Southampton that he will cost any interested party around £50m this summer.
18 Feb 2023 – Chelsea v Southampton – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia during the Premier League match against Chelsea.
Picture : Mark Pain / Alamy Live News 2NKR45Y 18 Feb 2023 – Chelsea v Southampton – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia during the Premier League match against Chelsea.
Picture : Mark Pain / Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
There are several suitors for the impressive Belgian, who was a central part of a relegated Saints side last season. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are thought to be keen on signing him, while Manchester City also have a buyback clause set at £50m which comes into effect next summer.
However, it is the Reds that have taken the lead, with Sky Sports Germany claiming that Jurgen Klopp’s side are the ‘favourites’ and that Lavia ‘wants to join Liverpool and has given the green light’.
Despite this, there have been no official agreement with Southampton over the teenager, though ‘concrete talks’ are taking place between the two parties in the hope of reaching an agreement below that £50m valuation.