Arsenal and Chelsea are both looking to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, with the 19-year-old one of several players set to leave the Saints following their relegation from the Premier League.
Both clubs are desperate to strengthen their midfield and Lavia impressed last season, despite Southampton's struggles. The teenager made the move to the south coast a year ago from Manchester City and made 34 appearances in all competitions.
City did insert a buy back clause into the deal, but that does not come into effect until 2024. As a result, it appears Lavia will have a big decision to make over his future with Arsenal and Chelsea circling.
According to RMC Sport, Chelsea have met with Lavia's father to discuss a potential move, but Arsenal could hold an important advantage over the Blues due to their relationship with the player's agent Emeka Obasi.
Obasi also represents Gunners stars Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah and it is claimed his 'persuasive power inside Arsenal has been increasing' after Saka signed a new four-year deal. The 21-year-old is now earning a whopping £300,000-a-week and Arsenal's relationship with Obasi may give them a 'little advantage' in their pursuit of Lavia.
The Belgian international earned plenty of plaudits for his performances in a struggling Southampton side that finished bottom of the league, with Pep Guardiola among his admirers. "I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing," he said in April.
"We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not [get] enough minutes like he has in Southampton. [It's a] good experience to go to the Premier League and play at this early age. So important."
Lavia's Southampton teammate and ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott, meanwhile, waxed lyrical about the teenager, stating that he plays as though he already has over 200 Premier League games under his belt. "I'm a big fan," Walcott told talkSPORT. "He's obviously had a few injuries but he's coming back. He's young, he's 18/19 when he's off the field but when he's on the field, it's mad.
"It's like he's played over 200 games in the Premier League, that's how much I rate him. It's very interesting to see, watching him from the stands, obviously it looks so easy from the stands, it always does.
"You probably know that watching us, 'he should make that run or make that pass', it's not as straightforward as that but when I watch him, I'm like 'you look way above your age right now'. It's a good sign and hopefully we can keep him fit. They are all learning, but in particular he's learning quicker than normal I would say."
