Romano reveals ‘concrete’ interest from ‘busy’ Liverpool in midfielder; rules out bid for La Liga star

Liverpool will “keep working” on a deal to bring Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia to Anfield, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds have already signed two midfielders this summer with Alexis Mac Allister joining from Brighton in a £35m deal and Dominik Szoboszlai moving to Anfield for £60m from RB Leipzig.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita all left on free transfers at the end of June and it now looks like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho will also be departing.

Henderson completed his medical on Friday night ahead of a £12m move to Al Ettifaq – who are managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard – while the Reds have reportedly accepted a £40m offer from Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad for Fabinho, although Bayern Munich are also interested.

And now Liverpool could have to bring in at least two more midfielders this summer with Romano confirming that Southampton’s Lavia is still one of their top targets.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Jordan Henderson to Al Ettifaq is now almost a done deal – a verbal agreement was already in place and I can now also confirm that the player did his medical on Friday night. The deal will be signed next week, so it’s almost completed – Henderson will is leaving Liverpool.

“Staying with Liverpool, they keep working on Romeo Lavia. Nothing is advanced in terms of bids or club to club negotiations – still, contacts are taking place with the player’s agents and they are trying to understand the final price tag. Southampton always wanted around £50m but Liverpool are hoping for a different fee.

“He’s not their only target, but he is a concrete one, and Liverpool are still there. Jurgen Klopp has hinted that things will happen before the end of the summer, and while it’s impossible to predict the exact number of signings, Liverpool will be busy for sure, it just depends on opportunities.

“Chelsea are also following the Lavia situation due to the connection with Joe Shields, one of the Chelsea directors, but it’s not linked to the Moises Caicedo deal. Caicedo remains the priority for Chelsea, but Shields had Lavia at Southampton and Manchester City, so he knows the player well and there is a good connection there.”

Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga has also been linked with a move to Liverpool after the 21-year-old produced a number of impressive displays for the La Liga side last term.

But Romano insists it is Chelsea who are more likely to make a bid for Veiga as it stands.

Romano added: “Gabri Veiga made headlines earlier this summer and then more recently it’s gone a bit quiet in the media, but I can say that behind the scenes things are happening. We know he has a release clause of €40m but some clubs feel they can strike a deal for below this fee.

“Let’s see how the conversation will continue, but in the coming weeks things could move. We know there is interest from the Premier League, with Chelsea following the situation and well informed, so let’s see if they make a bid, but for sure he’s appreciated by Chelsea.

“It’s not only Chelsea, but they are watching this situation while Liverpool look to be focusing on different kinds of players right now – Veiga is not their priority, despite reports.”