Liverpool still working on deal to sign £30m midfielder as well as Romeo Lavia – Romano

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Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, but are still trying to sign Khephren Thuram.

Lavia has now emerged as a concrete option for Liverpool, as they whittle down their midfield shortlist But speaking to CaughtOffside today, journalist Fabrizio Romano insisted that the Reds are looking to sign the 19-year-old as well, not instead of Thuram.

“Elsewhere, there was also news of Liverpool joining the race for Romeo Lavia yesterday,” Romano began. “On the player side, they are speaking to many clubs including both Liverpool and Arsenal. Nothing is decided yet, and it’s also important to remember that Southampton want an important fee close to £50m.

“Arsenal have an excellent relationship with his agents but it’s not just about that. This doesn’t impact Liverpool’s pursuit of Khephren Thuram, he remains on their list at this stage.”

That’s good news. Lavia alone may be a slightly underwhelming addition. But added to Thuram, that looks like a special pair for now and the future.

Liverpool working on Lavia and Thuram

Although Romano insists that Southampton are looking for £50m for Lavia, the feeling is reportedly that he can be signed for less than that.

Truly, that must be the case. Otherwise, you can’t imagine that Liverpool would be looking too hard at the Belgian.

He’s a good player with high potential, but he won’t solve their current issues. As journalist Neil Jones recently pointed out, he’s the kind of player who could be seen as being a ‘gamble’ by Liverpool. And Liverpool aren’t a gambling club.

So, there’s a feeling that the Reds wouldn’t step up talks with Lavia unless they thought they could get a good deal on him. That shouldn’t be the main remit for going after a player, but here we are.

In Thuram’s case, the feeling is also that he could cost anything up to around £50m. However, it has also been reported that the 22-year-old may be priced ‘closer to £30m.’

Disregarding the fee for a moment, Lavia and Thuram alongside Alexis Mac Allister looks like a decent window for Liverpool.

In Mac Allister they have a player who can immeditately improve the starting XI. Thuram has the potential to do that too, and will only get better. Lavia meanwhile has already cut his teeth in the Premier League and has