Romeo Lavia looks set to be at the centre of a huge summer transfer battle with a departure from Southampton highly likely. Arsenal and Chelsea have thus far showed the strongest interest in acquiring his signature, with the latter even trying to poach him from the Saints last summer in the same window they had signed him from Manchester City.
Following his sale, Pep Guardiola's side looked to have the advantage given the buyback clause inserted into his contract, however that only becomes active in 2024. With a move likely to take place 12 months prior to that, if he does move elsewhere it will become void, however a sell-on clause is also included which could see Arsenal or Chelsea financially assist one of their main rivals.
Chelsea made the first major move in the Lavia race earlier this month as they opened talks with Southampton to sign the Belgium international, as football.london understands. The Gunners are yet to take that action, but Liverpool have when asking about the conditions over a deal, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
