On our latest episode of the Transfer Insight show, Dan Clubbe was joined by Belgian football journalist Sasha Tavolieri @sachatavolieri) to discuss Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. Lavia is a central midfielder that can operate in a deep-lying and box-to-box role, and since his arrival from Manchester City last summer he has been an integral part of the Saints’ set-up.
The Saints’ Premier League fate was sealed last week when they suffered defeat to Fulham and a summer raid on the club seems imminent. The seaside club have several talented players that will attract the attention of top-flight sides, none more so than 19-year-old Lavia, who Tavolieri expects to get snapped up this summer.
“Yes [he will leave the club], 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.”
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Lavia currently has a buy-back clause in his contract, meaning the Belgian must sign for Manchester City if they decide to activate it, the valuation is estimated to be 40 million pounds. If they decide not to buy the midfielder back it looks as if 40 million will be the bare minimum that Southampton will accept, but it’s likely to be more. The Belgian football journalist believes that Merseyside is going to be Lavia’s most likely destination, not Manchester.
“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 Gündogan before they decide what they want to do with Lavia”
Despite Southampton’s woes this season Lavia has had a very impressive debut season, the Belgian has made 27 appearances in the Premier League this season and is still only 19 years old. It’s the midfielder’s age which will entice Liverpool the most as they undergo a rebuild, it is important the Anfield club builds for the future to avoid another hectic window like the one which is forthcoming.
It is reported that Liverpool have been in contact with the one-cap Belgian starlet’s representatives and this potential signing could be one that gains traction in the coming weeks.
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Lavia – hailed as ‘tremendous’ earlier this season by Rio Ferdinand – has been a star for Southampton in an otherwise dismal campaign, and we are all well aware of the success former St Mary’s stars have had at Anfield. With one goal and one assist in 33 appearances across all competitions, Given his age, I think it’s one that Liverpool should keep an eye on because as previously mentioned in the article it’s pivotal that Liverpool build for the future and avoid leaving themselves with too much to do in a single transfer window. Lavia would provide extra depth in Fabinho’s number-six role and could also be used as an effective box-to-box player considering the amount the ground the teenager has been able to cover for the Saints this season.
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