Dharmesh Sheth says ‘expect’ Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to ‘really ramp up their interest’ in Southampton midfielder, Romeo Lavia.
This despite Southampton possibly sending messages to interested parties that Romeo Lavia is ‘going to be our player’ until his ‘£50 million’ valuation is met by playing him in pre-season, as he told Sky Sports News’ Transfer Show (01/04/23 at 7:10 pm).
The 19-year-old has featured regularly for new Saints boss Russell Martin, who was brought in this summer after their relegation to the Championship.
Liverpool are in need of midfield reinforcements after the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia – Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have come in, but that was before the senior duo left.
Whilst Chelsea have had a sea change this summer after Pochettino’s arrival, with their midfield now looking thin and lacking experience – Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and back in January, Jorginho, have all left.
You would expect, amid such interest in Lavia, the highly-rated teenager will leave, with Sky transfer expert and reporter Sheth providing an update on it all.
“There is strong interest in the Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia,” said Sheth. “There hasn’t been a formal bid of yet (from Chelsea), but we are told personal terms wouldn’t be an issue, for either Caicedo or Romeo Lavia.
“Whilst valuation will be an issue for both of these players, particularly Caicedo. Chelsea have the added competition of Liverpool when it comes to Romeo Lavia.
“Liverpool have gone in with a second bid to Southampton, in excess of £40 million. That has been rejected as well by Southampton. They are standing firm. They want at least £50 million.
“He has been featuring in pre-season. Almost a message from Southampton to say ‘until you meet that valuation. He is going to be our player’. Expect, both Liverpool and Chelsea, to really ramp up their interest in Romeo Lavia.”
Who should Lavia pick – Liverpool, Chelsea, or even stay at Southampton?
The latter would help him get a solid season under his belt, as a teenager and in a very difficult league in England.
But working with the calibre of individuals at Liverpool or Chelsea will be just too hard to turn down – that ‘very special’ player Jadon Sancho once called (Daily Mail), will go up a few levels in no time.
Given that Liverpool are still in Europe, the success players have had under Klopp and how they have been better than Chelsea over the years, then perhaps a move to Anfield would be better than joining the Stamford Bridge club.
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