‘They want’: Manchester City could now dictate what Liverpool need to sign ’incredible player – journalist

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Liverpool will have to meet Manchester City’s buy-back clause to sign Romeo Lavia.

That’s according to journalist Alex Crook, who told talkSPORT that Southampton will demand a minimum £40 million for Lavia to make up the buy-back clause that becomes active next summer.

Lavia joined the Saints from Man City for an initial £10 million last year, with Pep Guardiola’s side also including a 20 per cent sell-on fee and a £40m clause that allows them to bring him back to the club from 2024.

Reports have claimed City also inserted a clause that would allow them to match any bid made for Lavia, however there has been no recent concerns for Liverpool that they will look to hijack a deal this summer, despite Pep admitting his ‘incredible’ opinion on the youngster last season.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Crook said: “The interesting thing here is that if he stays at Southampton for another year then he has the option to be brought back by Man City for £40m. So that’s the minimum that they want with the add-ons to get it closer to £50m.”

Liverpool have already had a bid worth £40m including add-ons turned down and are now expected to improve their offer, meaning they could see Southampton accept it if the initial fee betters Man City’s buy-back clause.

Lavia has already agreed personal terms with Jurgen Klopp’s side and is said to be very keen on the switch, meaning it should be fairly straight forward once a price has been agreed for the Belgian.

After starting in the Saints’ defeat to Bournemouth on Tuesday, the Reds are now eager to bring Lavia with them on their pre-season trip to Singapore this weekend. Their first clash against Leicester City takes place on Sunday, so they could welcome the 19-year-old to the club over the next couple of days.

Man City’s buy-back clause could have gifted them a bargain in Romeo Lavia next summer

Liverpool look set to pay more than Man City’s £40m buy-back clause for Romeo Lavia this summer and that is without him having the chance to develop even further in only his second season in senior football.

Lavia would have been below his level in the Championship with Southampton, however he would have proved to be a huge bargain for Man City if they had brought him back next summer.

The teenager could well have guided the Saints back to the top flight and also featured for Belgium in the Euro 2024 tournament, leaving him in even higher demand than he is now.

The Reds have not only benefited themselves from bringing him in this summer, but they have avoided Man City strengthening even further in a year’s time.