Arsenal will ‘push Liverpool all the way’ for £50m signing after transfer is ‘agreed’

Arsenal are preparing to make a fresh move to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia ahead of Liverpool, according to reports.

The Belgium international produced a number of good performances last season for the Saints as they were relegated from the Premier League.

After making the move from Manchester City to Southampton last summer, Lavia played his first 29 Premier League matches over the past season and earned his first cap for Belgium.

And now the 19-year-old has been attracting a lot of attention from a number of Premier League clubs with Arsenal and Liverpool thought to be the two most interested in his signature.

A previous report claimed that Southampton ‘will need to sell’ Lavia this summer as they look to balance their books following relegation from the Premier League.

It has been claimed that Liverpool are ‘leading the race’ for Lavia’s signature with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson looking set to swap Anfield for Saudi Arabia this summer.

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But Football Insider now claim that Arsenal are ‘preparing a new move’ for Lavia with the Gunners ‘now expected to push Liverpool all the way in the race for the 19-year-old’.

With Thomas Partey having ‘agreed terms’ with an unnamed Saudi Arabian club and on the verge of sealing his exit, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are wasting no time in lining up a replacement.

There will be no problem on the player’s side as Arsenal pursue a deal for Lavia, Football Insider add:

‘Lavia is believed to be a big fan of Mikel Arteta and has given the green light to the move following positive conversations with the London club.’

And Football Insider explain how the latest competition for Lavia could continue to bump up the price this summer. The report continues:

‘They Merseysiders are in talks to bring the midfielder to Anfield this summer but face tough competition from Arsenal as well as fellow Premier League giants Chelsea.

‘The Reds are only willing to offer around £40m for Lavia with Southampton believed to be holding out for a fee of around £50m for their star man, despite their relegation to the Championship.

‘The Saints are keen to maximise the value for Lavia whilst he is the subject of so much interest particularly since former club Man City will be entitled to 20 per cent of any fee as part of their sell on clause.’