Arsenal signing at least one midfielder on top of acquiring Declan Rice from West Ham this summer is now a necessity.
Granit Xhaka's planned exit had already made the need for the Gunners to win the Rice transfer race clear but with it now possible Thomas Partey also departs, another addition in the engine room is a requirement. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, there is a 'concrete chance' that Partey will leave north London before the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Both Xhaka and Partey leaving would result in Mikel Arteta being extremely low on midfield options but he and Edu may have found the perfect replacement. Southampton's Romeo Lavia was being heavily tipped for a transfer to Chelsea but Arsenal could now swoop in to sign the Belgium international a strong interest from north London and an excellent relationship with his camp.
Much has already been said about Chelsea's advantages to sign Lavia with director Joe Shields, formerly of Southampton, key in bringing him to St Mary's from Manchester City. However, the Gunners could have a secret weapon of their own which could see Lavia move to Arsenal instead.
According to RMC Sport's Sacha Tavolieri, Lavia's agent agent Emeka Obasi has a good relationship with the club after helping seal an Emirates Stadium contract renewal for one of his other clients, Bukayo Saka. It is also noted in the report, however, that Chelsea have met with Lavia's father to discuss a potential move.
Manchester United have shown some interest in Lavia but are currently focused on other priorities. An immediate return to Man City is also out of the equation with the buyback clause inserted into his contract with the Saints only active in 2024.
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As reported by football.london earlier this month, Chelsea opened talks with Southampton for the transfer of Lavia, but their focus has since shifted. The priority for the Blues and Mauricio Pochettino appears to now be with Brighton's Moises Caicedo with their second bid expected to come in next week.
Like Chelsea, Arsenal are also currently focused on another midfield target in Rice which leaves the race for Lavia wide open. According to the Daily Mail, interested parties will have to pay between £40million-£50m to sign Lavia from Southampton this summer.
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