Liverpool open talks over stunning Arsenal hijack, as Arteta hesitation ignites double Klopp coup

Liverpool have opened talks over signing an Arsenal target who’ll cost £40m-plus, and Mikel Arteta’s focus being on three other deals could prove fatal, per a report.

The Gunners aim to spend big this summer with moves for Jurrien Timber, Romeo Lavia, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz all wanted.

Arsenal lodged an improved bid worth between €45m-€48m (approx. £38.5m-£41m) for Ajax defender Timber on Monday. Elsewhere, a third offer for Declan Rice is on the horizon, while Kai Havertz will complete his £65m move from Chelsea later this week.

The Germany international has already passed the first part of his medical and personal terms are in place.

Arsenal’s attention is currently on that trio of deals, meaning a move for Southampton’s Lavia has taken a backseat for the time being.

Arsenal opened talks over signing the 19-year-old holding midfielder over two weeks ago. According to Fabrizio Romano, agreements over the transfer fee and personal terms with the player have not yet been struck.

Now, when speaking on his YouTube channel, the trusted transfer guru revealed Liverpool have made their move to hijack Lavia’s transfer.

Indeed, Romano revealed Liverpool have opened talks, while the journalist confirmed Nice’s Khephren Thuram is also a “concrete target”.

The Reds will preside over a sweeping midfield overhaul this summer and Alexis Mac Allister was the first to arrive.

Two further additions in the engine room are expected. Romano revealed Lavia will cost a minimum of £40m to sign, while Thuram, 22, is valued around the €40m (approx. £34.3m) mark.

As such, factoring in the £35m paid to sign Mac Allister from Brighton, Liverpool could conceivably complete their midfield rebuild by spending just £109.3m on three readymade starters.

Liverpool ignite Romeo Lavia transfer

“Romeo Lavia is on Arsenal’s list,” said Romano. “Arsenal had positive conversations on the club and player sides, but still no official bid.

“We know their priority is to complete other transfers first, such as Timber, Rice, and we know Havertz will soon be official.

“It’s important to say Lavia remains in Arsenal’s list. He’s one of the players they appreciate while they wait to understand the future of Thomas Partey who is prioritising European clubs over Saudi clubs.

“So Lavia is in Arsenal’s list, but from what I understand, also Liverpool have opened talks to sign Lavia. Liverpool have an interest in Lavia.”

Man Utd and Chelsea have both been linked with the Belgian, though Romano stressed neither side are posing a serious threat to Liverpool or Arsenal at present.

“Man Utd asked about the situation, Chelsea did the same a few weeks ago,” continued Romano. “Both clubs are informed, but at the moment they are not that close or active on this deal.

“But for Liverpool Lavia is one of the players they are considering. We know about Khephren Thuram, we know about Manu Kone, but especially Thuram is a concrete target.

“But we have to add Lavia to their list and let’s see if they decide to bid.”

On the subject of transfer cost, Romano concluded Southampton will look to generate “more than £40m” for their Belgian international.

Man City inserted a buy-back clause into Lavia’s deal when selling him to the Saints for just £12.5m last summer.

However, the clause does not become active until 2024 and if Lavia joins another club this summer, the clause would be rendered null and void.

There is one crumb of comfort for City, however, given they also inserted a sell-on clause into the Southampton deal. As such, they’ll receive a cut of the pie if Lavia moves on in the coming weeks and months.

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