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.
Speaking on YouTube, he said: "Romeo Lavia is in Arsenal's list and they have had some positive conversations on the club and player side, but no official bid as they are waiting to understand the future of Thomas Partey.
"But from what I understand, Liverpool have opened talks to sign Lavia. Man United have asked about the situation as have Chelsea, so both clubs are informed but they are not yet active on this deal, but for Liverpool, Lavia is one of the players they are considering."
Like at Arsenal and Chelsea, a significant midfield rebuild is set to take place at Anfield with the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton already confirmed. Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram of French outfit Nice are also firm targets for Jurgen Klopp, but significant developments for Lavia could place those two deals on the back-burner.
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With Declan Rice as the current priority for Arsenal and bringing Moises Caicedo to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea's most important job, a move for Lavia is likely to be done late into the window. Perhaps sensing that, Liverpool have accelerated their interest to try and get the jump on the two London clubs with their pursuit of Mason Mount now appearing over as Manchester United continue to push hard for his signature.
The Blues rejected a third proposal totalling £55million last week, and despite multiple reports suggesting they would back out of the deal if it was not accepted, the two clubs remain in contact. An in-person meeting was suggested by Chelsea to solve the saga, after they said £65million - £58m up front and £8m in add-ons - would be acceptable, however the outcome of that is not yet known.
If Man United do back out of the move, Caicedo will become their new top target which may throw into doubt a transfer to Chelsea, despite personal terms already being agreed.
