Martin Keown has praised Romeo Lavia for the Arsenal transfer target’s impressive passing as Southampton drew 3-3 with Tottenham Hotspur. He helped to create Che Adams’ goal.
Southampton came from behind to rescue one point at home to Tottenham in the Premier League this Saturday. Pedro Porro (45’+1) broke the deadlock before the break. But Adams drew the Saints level just 47 seconds into the second period from Theo Walcott’s delivery.
Harry Kane (65’) and Ivan Perisic (74’) would restore their north London side’s lead away at St Mary’s. Yet Walcott (77’) quickly replied to trim the margin before James Ward-Prowse’s (90’+3) penalty secured their draw. Pape Sarr fouled Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Arsenal target Romeo Lavia impresses Martin Keown against Tottenham
Adams initially drew Southampton level after Lavia played Walcott in with a superb pass to impress Keown. The midfielder slotted the ball through a small gap in between Perisic and Clement Lenglet. It left Walcott unchallenged to play in Adams lurking to hit from six yards.
“One of the best goals of the day,” Keown told the BBC’s Final Score. “[It was a] fantastic ball played from Romeo Lavia into the path of Theo Walcott who floats it into the area and Che Adams gets there first. Outside of the right foot, he adapts really well.”
Mikel Arteta is set to target the Southampton star’s transfer this summer
Lavia’s pass to play Walcott in against Tottenham showed one facet of the Southampton star’s game that has convinced Mikel Arteta to target his transfer to Arsenal this summer.
The Daily Mail reports that the Gunners boss is monitoring the 19-year-old but may face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United. Stamford Bridge chiefs have explored deals for the Belgian ever since he moved to St Mary’s from Manchester City last summer.
Southampton paid the Citizens £10.5m, rising £3.5m after add-ons, and also awarded the teenager a five-year, £25k-a-week contract. But Arsenal have made their interest in Lavia’s transfer known with Arteta interested in the Southampton star bolstering his engine room.
Arsenal are looking to sign two midfielders when the sales start and hope to capitalise with Manchester City’s £40m buy-back clause for Lavia only active in 2024. But talkSPORT also reports the Saints will want in excess of £50m to sell the youngster after Chelsea’s interest.
The Blues looked to sign Lavia within weeks of his arrival on the south coast last year. The Athletic reported Chelsea offered £50m on deadline day. But they may now face rival bids from Arsenal if the Blues target Lavia’s transfer from Southampton again over the summer.
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