Chelsea have been linked with Southampton star Romeo Lavia. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City are all seeking to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton in the summer transfer window., as per Football Insider, (h/t ESPN).
Since moving to Saints from Manchester City’s youth academy for £10 million. Lavia has become a regular starter at Southampton and has played 18 Premier League matches with a goal to his name.
Several Premier League clubs are keen on signing him and considering that the Saints are currently 20th in the standings and could be relegated, he may be seeking a transfer in the summer window.
But there are many contenders who will be clamouring for his services, and Manchester City have a provision that allows them to re-sign the 19-year-old from Saints, although it won’t happen until 2024.
Chelsea have recently demonstrated a greater interest in recruiting young players and may be prepared to spend much on the Belgian talent.
Arsenal are also a major fan of him, while United are keen on signing him but there is a 20% clause in his transfer funds which will be sent to opponents Man City, which is a possible concern.
However, it is believed that if Southampton are demoted to Championship, his deal may be finalised for between £40 million and £45 million this summer, with teams anticipating using Man City’s clause as pressure.
Lavia has developed into a key contributor for the Saints in the league and is steadily solidifying his position as the top defensive midfielder.
Chelsea will have to compete to recruit the CDM because they undoubtedly need one, considering they have been without defensive midfielders the majority of the season as Denis Zakaria and N’Golo Kanté have only now resumed training after long-term injuries.
In Arsenal’s case, Jorginho is simply a short-term fix and Mohamed Elneny isn’t a regular starter. They only have Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in that position and the latter isn’t getting any younger. And if Lavia joins City, he will have to compete with Rodri and Kalvin Philips are already two well-established CDMs. Manchester United also have Casemiro and Scott McTominay in that position for now, with Christian Eriksen and Fred also capable of playing as No. 6.
Hence, for him, a move to the Gunners could present him with a more assured chance at first-team football, with manager Mikel Arteta also having a knack for promoting youngsters. Chelsea will be no different, with Kante’s future at the club uncertain and Zakaria’s loan in SW6 ending this summer.
We have shown we can throw money to sign some of the finest young talents around. Given Lavia’s ceiling and the fact that he also plays in PL, he won’t be cheap, but he could be worth whatever he costs.
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