Liverpool has suffered a huge blow as Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia in the upcoming transfer window, according to the Telegraph.
The 19-year-old has been at the center of transfer rumors following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
Lavia stood out as a top performer in a team that struggled overall. The Belgian star joined Southampton last summer from Manchester City for a reported fee of £14 million.
Manchester City, the current Premier League champions, have a buy-back clause of £40 million, although it will not be active until the summer of 2024.
Following Southampton’s relegation, top clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool could be looking to seize the opportunity and sign the promising young midfielder.
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However, Newcastle United has also emerged as a potential contender in the race for the Southampton starlet.
Manager Eddie Howe aims to strengthen his midfield with the addition of two new players, and Lavia is among the candidates being considered. Other midfielders on Newcastle’s radar include Khéphren Thuram, Moises Caicedo, and Kalvin Phillips.
This could be a major blow to Liverpool as they are actively pursuing a deal for Lavia and have been monitoring the 19-year-old from quite some time.
Jurgen Klopp have recently acquired Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister but also wants to bring in more midfielders into his squad. The Reds are preparing well for the upcoming season as they want to fill the void left by the departed veteran players.
With Newcastle United’s qualification for the Champions League, the club is also determined to form a competitive squad capable of performing in both European and domestic competitions.
Southampton may consider selling Lavia as a necessary step forward, given the growing interest from multiple clubs.
If a substantial offer in the range of £40 million is presented, it would be deemed a lucrative deal for the Saints, considering they signed the young starlet for just £14 million just last year.
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The funds generated from the potential transfer could then be reinvested into strengthening the first-team squad, a crucial aspect in their pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League.
