A year ago
Liverpool has already made significant moves in the summer transfer market, spending approximately £100m on their first two signings. With a number of senior midfielders departing, manager Jurgen Klopp is determined to rebuild his midfield options. One potential target for the Reds is Southampton's Romeo Lavia.
Klopp has been proactive in strengthening his squad ahead of the upcoming Europa League campaign. Alexis Mac Allister has arrived from Brighton, while Dominik Szoboszlai has completed his move from RB Leipzig, donning the number eight shirt for Liverpool. However, with the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Arthur Melo, further reinforcements are needed in the midfield department. This is where Romeo Lavia could prove to be a valuable addition.
According to talkSPORT, Liverpool is preparing an initial bid for the 19-year-old Southampton star. Lavia is reportedly valued at £50m by Southampton, and Liverpool faces competition from Chelsea for the former Manchester City player's signature. City, who included a 20% sell-on clause when Lavia joined Southampton last summer, also has a buy-back clause set to come into effect in 2024. However, other clubs are eager to secure Lavia's services before City can exercise their buy-back option.
During the previous season, Lavia made 29 appearances for Southampton, consistently featuring in their midfield under various managers. He showcased his potential by scoring his first senior goal in August, helping his team secure a 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Lavia's final Premier League match for Southampton came against Liverpool in a thrilling 4-4 draw. The game was significant for Liverpool as it confirmed their exclusion from Champions League football, with the team finishing four points outside the top four.
With the acquisitions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, Klopp hopes to propel Liverpool back up the Premier League table. Szoboszlai, who joined for around £60m after an impressive spell with Leipzig, not only aided his former team in securing Champions League qualification but also caught Klopp's attention during his time at Red Bull Salzburg when he faced Liverpool as a teenager in 2019.
Klopp has expressed his optimism about Szoboszlai's potential, highlighting his rapid development since their previous encounter. The Hungarian midfielder has excelled in the Bundesliga, represented his national team, and even became its captain at a remarkably young age. Klopp believes that Szoboszlai's qualities, combined with those of Mac Allister, will bring joy to Liverpool's supporters and contribute to positive results on the pitch. However, he emphasizes the need for patience, acknowledging that Szoboszlai is still a young player with ample room for further growth and improvement.
As Liverpool continues to reshape their midfield, the pursuit of Romeo Lavia indicates Klopp's desire to add depth and talent to his squad. With stiff competition from Chelsea and the looming presence of Manchester City's buy-back clause, the Reds must act swiftly to secure the promising midfielder's services. The summer transfer window is in full swing, and Liverpool's fans eagerly await further developments as their team prepares for an exciting season ahead.
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