Liverpool taking a serious look at signing £50m player who looked likely to join Arsenal

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Liverpool are still in the running to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer.

That’s according to today’s ‘Reading the Game’ newsletter from The Independent. They claim that Southampton have been ‘rubbing their hands with glee’ at the prospect of interest ramping up in Lavia.

Arsenal were reportedly seen as the most likely destination for the 19-year-old. But it now seems as though a bidding war could break out.

It’s claimed that Chelsea are now ‘seriously involved,’ with Liverpool said to be ‘looking’ as well.

Despite Liverpool’s presence, it’s actually Chelsea who could reportedly pose Arsenal the biggest threat for Lavia. That’s due to them having former Southampton director of recruitment Joe Shields at the club.

He and the Belgium international are said to have a ‘strong relationship,’ after Shields took him from Manchester City to Southampton last year.

Lavia not top of Liverpool’s list

You get the impression that although they like Lavia, he currently isn’t anything like top of their list.

Journalist Neil Jones reported on Wednesday that the Southampton man could be seen as too much of a ‘gamble’ by Liverpool.

His young age coupled with his likely £50m price-tag mean the Reds are focusing on other options first. We think that’s fair enough.

Having said that, it’s good to keep abreast of Lavia’s situation. He looks likely to be spared a season in the Championship with Southampton and will go to one of Liverpool’s rivals if they don’t sign him.

However, both other clubs mentioned here also don’t seem to have him pegged as a very top target.

Arsenal now have competition from Manchester City, but they still want Declan Rice as a priority. Chelsea meanwhile look set to push on for the blockbuster signing of Moises Caicedo.

As for Liverpool, it seems likely that one of Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone or Ryan Gravenberch will be their next arrival. Lavia added to one or two of those could be an exciting prospect.