Liverpool's quest to bolster their midfield has seen them make repeated attempts to secure the services of Southampton's Romeo Lavia. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's manager, has been keen on adding the 19-year-old Belgian to his squad, especially after the unexpected departures of key midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia.
The Reds have already made three bids for Lavia, with the latest offer amounting to £46 million. However, Southampton remains firm on their £50 million valuation of the young midfielder. Despite the standoff in negotiations, there's a growing sentiment that a compromise will be reached. Neil Jones, a Liverpool journalist, expressed that while the club initially deemed the £50 million price tag as "excessive," the recent departures have amplified Liverpool's need for a midfielder. This has led the club to reconsider their stance on Lavia's valuation.
NEW: As things stand Liverpool are preparing for their premier league opener against Chelsea without Romeo Lavia with no signs of a breakthrough in negotiations yet. - @TheoSquiresECHO https://t.co/vsx4I2ylUC — - (@JoshLFC1909) August 9, 2023
Lavia's absence from Southampton's recent matches, including their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday and the League Cup defeat to Gillingham, has further fueled speculations about his imminent departure. Southampton's manager, Russell Martin, while not confirming the transfer, hinted at the possibility, stating, "There needs to be movement that suits us as a club."
Liverpool's interest in Lavia isn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision. The club has been monitoring the market for potential deep-lying midfielders and hasn't been particularly impressed, leading them back to Lavia. Despite his young age and limited experience, Lavia is seen as a promising talent with a high ceiling. His potential addition to Liverpool would provide Klopp with a "builder" in the midfield, contrasting the "destroyer" role Fabinho played.
However, time is of the essence. If Liverpool wishes to have Lavia in their lineup for their Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 13, they would need to finalize the transfer by midday on the preceding Friday, as per Premier League regulations.
While the clock ticks, Klopp is preparing for the Chelsea match without Lavia, indicating that even if the transfer is completed this week, Lavia might not feature at Stamford Bridge. Yet, the pursuit continues, and the next 48 hours could be crucial in determining whether Lavia dons the Liverpool jersey this season.
