Liverpool are still in contact with Southampton over a deal for Romeo Lavia and are hopeful an agreement can be secured by the end of the month, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders are in talks to lure the midfielder, 19, from Southampton but must fend off strong competition from Premier League rivals including Arsenal and Chelsea.
Liverpool’s need to strengthen in central midfield has been increased by the imminent departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who have both agreed mega-money deals with Saudi Arabian clubs.
It is believed that Jurgen Klopp could now bring in two new midfielders to add to the captures this summer of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
On 8 July, Football Insider revealed that Klopp’s side are convinced Lavia wants to join them over other suitors this summer.
Klopp is extremely keen to bring the Southampton star to Anfield this summer and Lavia, in turn, is convinced by the Liverpool project that is believed to have been sold very well to him by the club’s recruitment team.
He attracted the attention of Liverpool with a string of impressive performances for the Saints in his debut Premier League campaign last season and sources say he is seen as a “beast” who can break up the play, close down the space in which opponents operate and lay the foundations for the team’s attacking play.
Southampton are keen to maximise the Belgium international’s value as Man City will be entitled to 20 per cent of any fee received for his services.
The south coast club want £50m for Lavia, while Liverpool do not want to pay too much above £40m for a player with just one season of Premier League experience.
The fee is a key stumbling block, but Liverpool have been encouraged by the player’s desire to join them and believe a deal could be agreed quickly once a price is agreed.
The Merseysiders want a deal done by the end of the month, so Lavia could link up with Klopp’s squad and get integrated into their set-up ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool
That clause was negotiated as part of the reported £10.5million deal which brought Lavia to Southampton last summer (2022).
He impressed for the Saints despite their 20th-place finish and subsequent relegation, racking up 35 appearances across all competitions in his first senior campaign.
In other news, third Liverpool favourite subject of huge Saudi offer.
