Liverpool are “actively working” on signing Romeo Lavia despite there being “nothing advanced” between the Reds and Southampton at present, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Jurgen Klopp has seldom had a moment to catch his breath this summer. Alongside sporting director and colleague Jorg Schmadtke, the Reds manager has been busy in the transfer window already and his hectic schedule shows no signs of slowing down as the beginning of the season edges closer.
Liverpool have already acquired Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai having lost Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Roberto Firmino on free transfers.
The Reds have also been busy finalising loan deals for a number of the club’s young prospects including Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Calvin Ramsay.
But Klopp has already made it clear that he is far from done in the market as his squad still looks some way from being able to rediscover the blistering form exhibited in previous seasons.
With Jordan Henderson having all but left for Al Ettifaq and Fabinho potentially on his way to Saudi Arabia too, Klopp will need to strengthen his midfield even further in the transfer window.
Therefore, Liverpool’s interest in Romeo Lavia could materialize into a transfer this summer, with the 19-year-old Southampton midfielder destined for a return to the Premier League off the back of a wonderful season on the south coast.
According to transfer journalist Romano, Liverpool are still in the process to bring the Belgian to Anfield but there is nothing concrete in place between the Reds and Southampton.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Mentioning Liverpool, let me say again that nothing is advanced in terms of bids and club to club negotiation, but Liverpool keep working on Romeo Lavia deal.
“Liverpool are keeping contacts with his representative, are still discussing to understand the final price tag. Southampton always wanted around £50m but Liverpool are still hoping for a different fee at the end of the story. So, Liverpool are still there for Romeo Lavia. He’s not the only target but for sure he’s a target and is a concrete one.”
He added: “Liverpool actively working on that on player side. Let’s see what happens on that one.”
Links with Lavia had gone somewhat quiet in recent days but this will come as positive news to Liverpool fans hopeful of securing the teenager’s signature this summer.
Lavia would be an obvious replacement for Fabinho if he leaves the club and at 19-years-old could be a starter for the Reds for years and years to come, but Klopp may have to fend off interest from Chelsea and Arsenal to land his target.
Lavia made 29 Premier League appearances for Southampton last season following his arrival from Manchester City and continually shone in an often pitiful Saints side.
A defensive midfielder with a great reading of the game, Lavia averaged 2.43 tackles, 1.9 blocks and 1.34 interceptions per 90 minutes in the league last season, despite often being left woefully exposed by those around him.
Sometimes he was required to be one-man midfield and performed admirably in such a role, especially given it was his debut season in the Premier League, and the one-cap international averaged a 6.8 Sofascore rating last campaign.
At 19 years of age he may not be ready to start more than 40 games for Liverpool next season, which is one dilemma Klopp will encounter if he brings the inexperienced prodigy to Merseyside, but his potential makes him a tantalising prospect at a relatively low price level.
