‘As it stands…’ – Journalist drops promising Liverpool claim on £40m starlet set for summer exit

‘As it stands…’ – Journalist drops promising Liverpool claim on £40m starlet set for summer exit

The ‘closest’ team to signing Southampton’s young prodigy Romeo Lavia this summer is Liverpool, according to a Belgian journalist.

On The Redmen TV’s Transfer Insight program, Sacha Tavolieri analyzed the 19-year-old, claiming that he will undoubtedly depart St. Mary’s following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League.

The Merseyside club, who it now appears are in the best position to give the teenager a fresh start in the top division, met with the midfielder’s agent, the transfer insider had previously revealed to LFC Transfer Room last week.

Last year, Manchester City added a £40 million repurchase clause to the sale of Lavia to the south coast. However, this clause doesn’t go into effect until 2024 (Fabrizio Romano), and it appears they may not utilize it.
Tavolieri said of the Belgian on the Transfer Insight show: “He is one of the big players who has shown his talents and abilities this season, so he won’t be part of the project of Southampton in the Championship, that I can assure you.

“As it stands Liverpool are the closest club [to signing Lavia], at the moment there’s no real sign from Guardiola that he wants him back. It looks like Manchester are waiting to see what happens with [Ilkay] Gündogan before they decide what they want to do with Lavia.”

The Belgium international has been a rare shining light in a truly dismal season for Southampton, standing out as one of the relegated club’s better players.

As per WhoScored, he’s averaged two tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game in a defensive midfield role for the Saints, also proving to be a tricky opponent on the ball by drawing 1.7 fouls per match.

He’s also started 24 Premier League games this term, accruing valuable top-flight experience which may help him to stay in the division even if his current side aren’t.

However, whether Liverpool would pay £40m for a player with only one season of prolonged senior exposure is questionable, especially with the Reds being so strongly linked with other, more proven campaigners such as Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte.

Plus, Lavia coming to Anfield could be detrimental to the progress of Stefan Bajcetic, who had been starting regularly before his season-ending injury but may find it more difficult to get into the team if the Belgian is signed from Southampton, particularly if other midfielders are also recruited.

Nonetheless, Jurgen Klopp would be getting a precocious youngster in the Saints gem, and Tavolieri’s update is a promising one in thar regard.