Liverpool stun Arsenal, Chelsea with offer prepared for midfield signing No 3; likeliest next club named

Liverpool are ready to thunder in with their opening offer for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia who’s wanted by both Arsenal and Chelsea, and which side he’s likeliest to join has been revealed.

The Reds are embarking on a full scale midfield rebuild this summer. That is the area of the pitch which hampered Liverpool’s season the most last year, and an overhaul is now in full swing.

Indeed, Arthur Melo, Leighton Clarkson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner have all departed. Replacing the quintet thus far are Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who’ve signed for £35m and £60m respectively.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, one more midfield addition is wanted at Anfield.

Gabri Veiga of Celta Vigo has been linked, though Liverpool’s third signing is expected to be more defensive-minded.

As such, the likes of Manu Kone, Khephren Thuram and Romeo Lavia will now come under the microscope.

Lavia, 19, is coming off the back of a breakthrough campaign at Southampton. His exploits in the engine room weren’t enough to stave off relegation, though the Belgian was among a handful of stars on the south coast to emerge with credit.

London pair Arsenal and Chelsea have both been heavily linked with Lavia. Indeed, Romano declared the Gunners to be “still very interested” despite moving for Declan Rice, while The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell insisted the Blues will have a say.

However, according to talkSPORT, it’s Liverpool who are prepared to strike first and lodge an official bid with all haste.

Liverpool leapfrog Arsenal, Chelsea for Lavia

They tweeted Liverpool are ‘preparing an opening offer’ for Lavia and as such, have ‘moved ahead’ of Chelsea and Arsenal in the race.

talkSPORT claimed Southampton are seeking a bid of £50m before parting ways with their 19-year-old sensation. That echoes the figure cited by Romano on Sunday night. How much Liverpool intend to opening the bidding at wasn’t clarified.

Lavia’s former club Man City inserted a buy-back clause into the player’s deal when selling to Southampton last summer.

However, Romano confirmed the clause does not activate until 2024 and would be ruled void if Lavia joins another club this summer.

On the subject of who is likeliest to win the race for Lavia, The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell gave his view.

Tanswell works as a Southampton specialist for The Athletic and when speaking to Empire of the Kop, named the Reds as favourites.

“Liverpool or Chelsea” said Tanswell when asked who’ll sign the Belgian.

“I probably think Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp and with the background [work] they’ve done on him, that probably looks the likely destination.”

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