Liverpool are being linked with a move for Romeo Lavia.
The ECHO have previously reported that the 19-year-old is a player of interest to the Reds as they look to bolster their midfield this summer. And with Dominik Szoboszlai now confirmed as a Liverpool player, reports suggest their interest has switched back to Lavia.
Southampton will be under the command of former Swansea City boss Russell Martin next season as they prepare for their campaign in the Championship for the first time since 2012 after their relegation from the Premier League. Martin has become the fourth manager to take charge of the Saints since November after Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles all lost their jobs.
It was Hasenhuttl - a friend of Liverpool boss Klopp - who prized Lavia away from the youth ranks at Manchester City last summer. The Belgium international went on to enjoy a brilliant debut season in the English top flight despite Southampton finishing bottom.
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But questions now linger over whether they will be able to retain their prized assets like Lavia and captain James Ward-Prowse. And Liverpool face competition from Arsenal in the race to sign Lavia. Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be interested.
After arriving for £10.5m from the Citizens, Hasenhuttl raved about Lavia's qualities and eyed moulding the youngster into a "top-class" player.
"We know his qualities but we try and be positive with him, but also critical because we want to make him a top-class player," he said.
"It is important for those players to not get immediate praise for their okay or good performances, but also be critical with the things he has to make better.
"What I like about these young lads is they seem to be very self-critical and want to learn, and want to have input all the time. This is a very good character I think to get better, because when you think you are a superstar it is hard to make them better."
Theo Walcott was a team-mate of Lavia during his debut season at St Mary's. And the former Everton attacker detailed a quality the Belgian possesses that stood out.
"I'm a big fan [of Lavia]," Walcott told talkSPORT in January. "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."
