Liverpool did want to sign midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton but were ‘restricted’ by the spending plans of FSG.
The Fenway Sports Group restricted Jorg Schmadtke from bringing midfielder Romeo Lavia to Liverpool over the summer.
That is according to The Athletic, who claim that FSG didn’t want to splash huge cash on signing Lavia.
Liverpool’s main focus of the summer window was clear – strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s midfield ranks.
The Reds simply had to bring new energy to the side and they managed to land four new midfielders.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all arrived – but there were some misses along the way.
Liverpool missed out on Romeo Lavia
Liverpool fans need no reminder that, back in August, the Reds made moves to sign Moises Caicedo and then Romeo Lavia.
Remarkably, both players ended up joining Chelsea – and it’s now claimed that FSG weren’t convinced by the Lavia move.
It’s stated that short-term sporting director Jorg Schmadtke was actually ‘restricted’ in his pursuit of Lavia because FSG didn’t want to ‘go beyond their valuation’.
Chelsea ended up paying £50million plus add-ons for Lavia after he made it clear that he preferred the Blues over Liverpool.
Liverpool then moved on to sign Endo and Gravenberch, adding two new midfielders rather than splashing on one in Lavia.
Maybe Lavia’s decision could have been different if FSG had coughed up the cash earlier in the window, but the Reds went in a different direction.
Lavia yet to make Chelsea impact
Former Manchester City talent Lavia showed big potential last season despite featuring in a relegated Southampton side.
Chelsea were more than happy to splash the cash on that potential, believing that the 19-year-old can become a superstar down the line.
Lavia – hailed as ‘very special’ by Jadon Sancho – hasn’t been able to make his Chelsea debut yet though having been ruled out with an ankle problem.
There doesn’t appear to be a clear return date in mind for the Belgian, who will feel disappointed with how life in West London has started.
Chelsea will still believe in Lavia’s talent and FSG will hope that refusing to pay up for him doesn’t backfire down the line.
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