Arsenal have fallen behind Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia. Saints are demanding a fee in the region of £40-50m for the 19-year-old following their relegation from the Premier League.
The north Londoners are keen to strengthen their midfield options during the summer transfer window, soccer.london understands, with West Ham United captain Declan Rice at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wish list. But with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey both linked with exits, the Gunners are looking to make Rice and Lavia their new midfield for next season.
soccer.london has collected all the latest transfer talk and rumors about the Gunners and the Belgium international.
Liverpool and Chelsea lead the race
Liverpool now appear to be leading the battle for the 19-year-old talent alongside Chelsea, with the Gunners trailing in the race for Lavia’s signature. A report from Football Transfers, via 90 minhave stated that Arteta’s side are trailing their Premier League rivals as competition for the Belgian midfielder heats up.
Transfer boost
A host of clubs have been handed a potential boost for Romeo Lavia this summer as new Southampton boss Russell Martin has claimed some players will leave the club this summer. He told the press: “There will be people leaving, of course, that’s what happens when you have such a tough season last season and you get relegated from the Premier League. I’ve been there too and that is not that easy, every player in the dressing room could think they are going back to the Premier League, but it is not that easy.”
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Liverpool open negotiations
Liverpool have made the decision to open talks with Southampton to sign Romeo Lavia this summer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Talking further Youtubehe said: “Romeo Lavia is on Arsenal’s list and they have had some positive talks on the club and player side but no official bid as they wait to understand the future of Thomas Partey.
“However, from what I understand, Liverpool have opened negotiations to buy Lavia. Man United have inquired about the situation, as have Chelsea, so both clubs are informed, but they are not yet active with this deal, but for Liverpool, Lavia is one of the players they are considering.”
£40 million pending bids
Arsenal are ready to make their first offer for Lavia in the coming days. It is according to Daily Mirrorwho claim the Gunners will make a £40m bid for the Belgian midfielder.
The report claims the bid will all but end the north Londoners’ pursuit of Moises Caicedo.
Promote conversations
Arsenal are moving ahead in talks to sign Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia this summer, although no official bid has yet been made. It is according to Fabricius Romanwho claim the Gunners are making progress, although the Saints are likely to ask for a fee above their record fee for an under-21 player – which stood at £32m when Luke Shaw joined Manchester United in 2014.
Conversations take place
Arsenal are not giving up on signing Romeo Lavia simply because of their continued attempts to sign Declan Rice, according to Fabrizio Romano. “Arsenal have a concrete and strong interest in Romeo Lavia,” he tweeted.
“The relationship is excellent with his camp – talks have already taken place.” The Gunners are desperate to add a new midfielder to their squad this summer.
“Timing will be crucial as Chelsea remain interested. Man United value Lavia but still not moving on. City buy-back clause only applies until 2024,” Romano concluded.
Arsenal talk ‘progress’
The priority may well be on Declan Rice, but reports claim the Gunners are making progress in talks to sign Lavia.
According to Miguel Delaney, the midfielder is on Arteta’s radar after cooling their interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. However, they share an interest with London rivals Chelsea.
Southampton price tag
Arsenal will have to cough up between £40million-£50million to sign Lavia this summer, according to Daily mail.
The high valuation of the Belgian is said to be down to three clauses inserted in his contract. The first is in relation to Man City, his former team, being able to match any bid that comes with a buy-back clause – around £40m. The last clause entitles City to 20% of any future sales.
Two midfielders to join?
According to transfer pundit Ben Jacobs, Arsenal could look to sign two of Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice this summer as sporting director Edu looks to get his business done early.
“Arsenal could still come back for Moises Caicedo, although the priority is Declan Rice. And they could also go for Romeo Lavia,” Jacobs told GiveMeSport. “They won’t get all three, but that might suggest they might be looking for two in the middle of the park when those goals are concrete.
“They are looking at so many players because not all these deals are easy, especially those involving Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi does not want a mass exodus and Brighton will only sell on their terms.”
Summer shortlist
Now, Daily Mail have named Lavia as one of three midfielders Arsenal have on their summer shortlist, alongside the aforementioned Rice and Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
The report claims the Gunners are desperate to close the gap on league leaders Manchester City, with not just one but potentially two central midfielders targeted as sporting director Edu looks to bolster Arteta’s squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Manchester City advantage
Southampton’s £12m deal to sign Lavia last summer has a clause that gives Manchester City a chance to buy him back for £40m, although that clause does not become active until 2024.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, it is likely to mean the youngster will cost more than that if he is to leave St Mary’s Stadium this summer. Write for Caught Offsidehe said: “Nothing has changed for Romeo Lavia at the moment. It is normal to see big clubs linked because he is a top talent, but there is nothing concrete at the moment.
“It’s fair to remember that Man City have a £40m buy-back clause for Lavia, so the value must surely be higher.”
The Kevin De Bruyne verdict
Lavia’s rise to prominence in recent months will hardly surprise former Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne, who previously heaped praise on the 19-year-old when the pair were team-mates. Speaking about his Belgium international to Play Sports last year, De Bruyne said: “He is very good.
“He has been training with us since the end of last year. If he continues his development, I think he will be a top player.”
Interest confirmed
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit are interested in Lavia, as well as Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. Talking about his YouTube channel his earlier this year, Romano said: “Romeo Lavia is attracting a lot of interest.
“He is a top talent as a midfielder. Let me say one thing, the buy-back clause for Manchester City is in the contract from the summer of 2024, not now, that’s why Man City does not have full control over Lavia this coming time. summer Other clubs are interested , Arsenal are keeping an eye on the player, Arsenal are following Romeo Lavia, at the moment it is nothing advanced.
“Mark my words, Caicedo remains a target after the discussions they had during the January transfer window. Caicedo is on the list again at Arsenal and Romeo Lavia is a player they are following.”
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