‘I’ve got a feeling’ – Romeo Lavia transfer prediction made after Liverpool bid ‘rejected’

Stuart Pearce believes a move to Liverpool would be a good challenge for Romeo Lavia following reports of a rejected £37m offer

Former England captain Stuart Pearce believes Romeo Lavia will complete a transfer to Liverpool this summer, rather than stay with the Southampton.

Speculation has been rife throughout the summer surrounding the Belgian midfielder and a move back to the Premier League following a promising breakout 2022/23 campaign, despite his club’s relegation.

Liverpool have been just one side intensely linked, and have now entered what seems like it will be a crucial week in this transfer window as the Lavia saga plus potential exits for Fabinho and Jordan Henderson gather pace. The latest rumour appears to confirm matters are reaching a pivotal stage, as David Ornstein reported a £37 million ‘opening offer’ for the Saints player had been rejected.

If a second bid is tabled, and more importantly if Southampton accept, only time will tell. If the situation does proceed as expected, Pearce believes it would be a good test for the 19-year-old.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon’s Talksport Drive show, he said: “You’re a first-teamer at Southampton, going to a club where you’re going to have to fight. I’m not sure it is daunting for young players anymore, they seem to be so rounded in the ways of football, I just think they take it on board as they do.

“It’d be a great challenge for him and well, for a club like Liverpool at his age to come in and say ‘listen, we think you can do us a turn because of what we’ve seen at Southampton’, they’re buying potential – there’s no doubt about the finance and whatever.”

Finally asked whether he thinks the deal will happen or not, the former Nottingham Forest defender ultimately ruled in Liverpool’s favour.

“I don’t think it would hurt him to stay another year at Southampton and attempt to get them promoted again at his age,” stated Pearce. “But I’ve got a feeling money might talk in that situation and he’ll end up going.”