Southampton reportedly consider Liverpool target Romeo Lavia as the best young no. 6 in world football, with the Reds this week having a third bid rejected for the midfielder.
According to the Times, the Saints regard the Belgian international as ‘the best’ in his position and in his age group, with Lavia taking the Premier League by storm last season in his first year playing with the professionals.
As per the report, Liverpool have had a £45m bid rejected by Southampton for Lavia as the Reds continue to struggle to reach an agreement with the Championship side for the 19-year-old prospect.
And things could be even more complicated now with Southampton making a claim as bold as this, though given Lavia’s age and performances last season, it’s hard to argue such an assumption.
With Liverpool failing in their attempts to sign Lavia, their battle to land the midfielder could be even harder now based on Southampton’s new stance with the former Manchester City prospect.
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Moreover, having had a third bid rejected for Lavia this summer, Liverpool could be on the brink of throwing in the towel with the 19-year-old, especially with how soon the new season starts.
Liverpool have to go broke or bust for Lavia this week
Having had three bids rejected for Lavia in as many weeks, Liverpool are standing on the edge of missing out on the midfielder if they don’t go for broke with their fourth and potentially final offer for the Southampton star.
The Saints have been adamant about Lavia’s asking price ever since the window started, and whilst Liverpool are right to think they could get a deal for the midfielder under £50m, the reality is that no such transfer was ever going to happen.
As a result, Liverpool have to go all-in on Lavia with one final offer that has to match Southampton’s demands, even if the midfielder might not be worth the £50m initially for the Reds.