Liverpool and Chelsea have already been linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and now, Manchester United seemed to have joined the race as well, according to the Independent.
Liverpool have already seen two of their bids rejected for the 19-year-old but they are still leading the race because according to Belgian transfer reporter Sacha Tavolieri, the Anfield outfit are about to make a third offer for Romeo Lavia.
The Reds are optimistic that this refreshed offer will convince the Saints to sell off the youngster but now there’s a chance that Chelsea and even Manchester United can try to hijack this transfer.
Saints manager Russell Martin has made it very clear that Lavia’s future is still undecided and there’s a chance he could leave before the club start their Championship campaign.
He has said: “Both [Lavia and James Ward-Prowse] will be involved tomorrow night as it stands, I don’t know if anything will change between now and then[start of the 23/24 season].
“Do I think they will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different.”
Will Chelsea or Man United try and go after Romeo Lavia?
Erik ten Hag’s side are in talks to sign Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat and if they can get their hands on the Moroccan international then we don’t think they will make a move for Romeo Lavia.
The United boss wants to add a new central midfielder to his squad which is why the club is keeping all their options open but Sofyan Amrabat is very much their top priority right now.
Chelsea’s scenario is totally different because they are chasing Brighton’s Moises Caicedo but the Seagulls want £100 million for the South American which is something the Blues aren’t ready to pay.
Their last offer was for £80 million which is well short of what Brighton are demanding.
Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Lavia but they will need to act swiftly and sort things out with the Saints because Chelsea can very easily outbid them.
The Blues have brought in more than £200 million from player sales this summer so they can very easily pay what Southampton are demanding for Romeo Lavia(£50 million) that too, without any add-ons.
Liverpool’s previous bid was for £41m, including add-ons but their upcoming offer is expected to be around £40 million without any sort of add-ons and this is something that is going to excite the Saints management. Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot afford to go into a bidding war with Chelsea which is why they need to wrap up this transfer before the Blues can make up their mind.
Manchester United will only come after Romeo Lavia if they feel they can’t land Amrabat and as things stand, that deal is very much on.
Will he prefer a move to Liverpool or Chelsea?
At the moment, he has agreed to join Liverpool and at Anfield, the youngster will get to play in Europe next season. However, the scene can change very quickly if Chelsea come into the picture.
The Blues have sold out most of their midfielders already so Romeo Lavia will have very little competition at the club next season. A player like him will want game time and with the likes of Kante, Kovacic, Mount and Loftus-Cheek leaving, he can very easily play alongside Enzo Fernandes in the middle of the pitch.
Also, Mauricio Pochettino is great at nurturing young talent so if Romeo Lavia choose Chelsea over Liverpool, he will be in safe hands, that’s for sure.
