Battle for the Future: Romeo Lavia's £50m Transfer Sparks Fierce Rivalry Among Premier League Giants

Southampton is confident that the strong interest from top Premier League clubs in Romeo Lavia will result in a transfer fee close to the £50m valuation of the young player. However, potential suitors are hesitating due to the fee. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool have all been in talks with the midfielder's representatives regarding a possible transfer in the upcoming summer.

It is evident that the latter two are reluctant to make such a high bid considering their previous spending, as well as the fact that their priorities lie elsewhere.

Securing the Declan Rice deal has been Mikel Arteta's main objective in bolstering the midfield, requiring Arsenal to surpass their previous transfer record of £72m by acquiring West Ham United's captain for £105m.

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Romeo Lavia excelled in the midfield, making 34 appearances for Saints last season.

Kai Havertz has already been signed, and Jurrien Timber is anticipated to join soon. The focus will now shift to Lavia, knowing that there is intense competition for his signature. However, Arsenal is mindful of their spending and has other targets in mind.

Liverpool, currently rebuilding their midfield with the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, consider Lavia as a key player for the future. Nevertheless, a substantial reduction in Southampton's asking price for the Belgian midfielder is essential, and it is crucial for Lavia to express his preference for Anfield as his desired destination.

Liverpool has taken a different approach this summer by focusing on finding value in the market rather than participating in competitive bidding wars or prolonged negotiations. Despite the inflated market conditions, the club aims to secure "clean" deals that align with their desired player profiles.

The club insists that there must be departures in the midfield first, especially since Thiago is receiving significant attention, before they consider bringing in another player for that position. Liverpool's preference is to add a third new player to their midfield, and if the situation allows, a signing may still occur even if players leave.

Chelsea is currently in negotiations with Brighton regarding Moises Caicedo, while simultaneously focusing on streamlining their extensive squad. Despite this, their enthusiasm for Lavia has not been hidden.

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The teenager scored the opening goal in Southampton's 2-1 win over Chelsea last August

Southampton reluctantly accept that they will part ways with the 19-year-old during this transfer period, but it certainly won't be at a bargain price.

They firmly believe that Lavia possesses the potential to evolve into one of the premier defensive midfielders in the sport, a notion supported by the interest he has garnered from various clubs.

Manchester City, on the other hand, will receive a 20% share from the selling fee as per their agreement with Southampton made a year ago. Additionally, they hold the option to match any offers for Lavia and possess a buy-back clause that is believed to come into effect only in 2024.

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