Arsenal are interested in signing Romeo Lavia as they join Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for the Southampton star.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim that interest in Lavia is already mounting.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Lavia and a number of enquiries have been made.
However, United and Arsenal are now thought to be in the race too having been impressed with Lavia this season.
Arsenal are understood to have shown a real interest in Lavia as they weigh up their midfield options.
Arsenal snapped up Jorginho on deadline day but are still chasing two more midfielders this summer.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are just a couple of names in the mix for Arsenal with Lavia now another option.
Who is Arsenal target Romeo Lavia?
Lavia emerged in the Anderlecht youth ranks – the same academy that produced the likes of Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans.
Manchester City spotted Lavia at the age of just 14, as he featured in a tournament named the KDB Cup after Kevin De Bruyne.
When Lavia turned 16 in 2020, he made the move to City and was able to make two first-team appearances last season.
City decided to cash in last summer though, allowing him to join Premier League rivals Southampton.
City do have a buy-back clause in the deal worth around £40million, but that can only be activated next year.
That means Arsenal – or other Premier League clubs – could swoop in this summer before City can activate that deal.
The 19-year-old has shown promising signs this season and can be viewed as a controlling midfielder in front of the back four.
Hailed as a ‘very special’ player by Jadon Sancho, Lavia appears to have enormous potential – and maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by Mikel Arteta wanting a midfielder who caught Pep Guardiola’s eye.
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