Manchester United are among several Premier League teams monitoring Southampton's Romeo Lavia and the midfielder is very much admired by their rivals at the Etihad.
Southampton signed Lavia from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £14million last season, but the south coast side's relegation to the Championship means they could be forced to cash-in on their upcoming star. The 19-year-old was the shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign for the Saints, showing class beyond his years in central midfield.
United are keeping their options open regarding a second midfield signing this summer, with Mason Mount on the verge of becoming a Red. The midfielder underwent his medical on Monday after a £60million fee was agreed with Chelsea late last week.
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Erik ten Hag is desperate to fill gaps up top and in goal as a priority, but with the futures of Fred and Scott McTominay uncertain, the Dutchman could return for a second midfielder. Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with reports in Italy going as far as to suggest personal terms have already been agreed.
While no approach has been made for Lavia, the Belgian is of interest to United and many other top-flight clubs. And it is no surprise given he is highly rated by City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
"He [Lavia] is very good," De Bruyne told Play Sports (via Hampshire Live) last year. "He's been training with us since the end of last year. If he continues his development, I think he'll be a top player."
Lavia had been a standout player in City's under-23s as they romped to the Premier League 2 crown during the 2021/2022 campaign, but the first-team's squad depth made it hard for him to break into Pep Guardiola's plans. But the Catalan was in two minds over whether to sell him and shares De Bruyne's admiration for the teenager.
“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” Guardiola admitted last season “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."
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