Liverpool expect agreement next week as Klopp convinces £50m midfield star to join amid Fabinho twist

Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia could replace Fabinho at Liverpool

Liverpool are increasingly optimistic they will be able to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton this month as long as they can find a compromise about his transfer fee, according to a report.

Lavia, who was one of the better performers in the Southampton side that suffered relegation last season, is one of the main midfield targets Liverpool have been looking to add to their department next following the captures of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

With Fabinho and Jordan Henderson ready to leave, the next midfielder Liverpool sign will have to be someone who is comfortable operating in a deeper role than their other two recruits.

In that regard, Lavia has been identified as an ideal successor at the base of their midfield. And according to Football Insider, Liverpool have become confident of signing the Southampton starlet by the end of the month.

More than likely, that means Liverpool think they can secure an agreement for Lavia next week. As things stand, though, they need to convince Southampton about how much he is worth.

The relegated side are holding out for £50m, but Liverpool believe a fee of £40m would be more appropriate for a player with just one season of Premier League action under his belt.

Whatever fee Southampton receive, they will have to give 20% of their earnings to Man City because of a sell-on clause.

What may work in Liverpool’s favour is that Lavia seems to have his heart set on the move. Although linked with Arsenal and Chelsea as well, the 19-year-old is said to be ‘convinced’ that Liverpool have the right project for him.

Their officials have been very persuasive with their pitch to Lavia, whom Jurgen Klopp is ‘extremely keen’ to sign, per the report.

Therefore, Liverpool think things could accelerate very quickly once they achieve a breakthrough with Southampton, who have Lavia under contract until 2027.

He could be the missing piece of their midfield puzzle, although the potential departures of two regular starters like Fabinho and Henderson – plus suggestions that Thiago Alcantara wants to leave – may encourage Liverpool to find a fourth midfielder to sign afterwards.

Fabinho becomes Bayern Munich target in late hijack

In the meantime, the focus will be on finalising the futures of Lavia, Henderson and Fabinho.

In terms of the latter, a deal to sign for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia is close. With that in mind, he has been absent for Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Germany.

However, in an interesting development, Sky Sports Deutschland expert Florian Plettenberg has revealed that the Brazil international could actually end up in Germany – since Bayern Munich are keen to hijack the move.

Bayern are in the market for a new defensive midfielder after missing out on the signature of Declan Rice. They have a good relationship with Jorge Mendes, who could help them broker a deal for Fabinho.

By moving there, the 29-year-old would be able to continue his career in Europe and – unlike Liverpool – would have Champions League football on offer.

The Bundesliga champions are well aware of how advanced his move to Al Ittihad is, though. Reports have indicated that the former Monaco man has already agreed personal terms to move to the Middle East.

Furthermore, Liverpool are keen to conclude the Fabinho saga soon, which may deter them from waiting for a rival offer by Bayern – especially if it helps them turn their attention to accelerating their signing of Lavia.