Liverpool bid for top midfield target ‘rejected’ as Southampton ‘insist on’ £50m overall ‘package’
According to reports, Liverpool have had a £37m bid for Romeo Lavia rejected as Southampton are holding out for a financial ‘package’ worth £50m.
Liverpool’s focus this summer has been on improving their midfield. Nearly £100m has been spent to sign Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
They are not stopping there, though. Liverpool could lose Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League this summer so at least one more midfield signing is required.
The Premier League giants have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha over the past week but they are reportedly leading the race for Lavia.
Lavia played 34 times for Southampton during his breakout season in 2022/23 after the midfielder left Premier League champions Man City last summer.
The 19-year-old is on the market following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League and according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool have now had a £37m bid for him rejected.
Ornstein notes that personal terms would ‘not be an issue’ for Liverpool regarding Lavia, but Southampton are ‘seeking’ £50m for their prized asset.
This has since been backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who states that “Southampton have been clear during direct contacts with Liverpool today for Lavia: they want £50m package to make it happen” and Liverpool will “keep working on it”.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez next… Where will he rank among Liverpool No.9s since Robbie Fowler?
Earlier this month, Ben Jacobs claimed that Liverpool believe that £40m should be a “top-end yardstick” for Lavia due to Man City’s buy-back clause being set at this fee.
“Liverpool will likely add another midfielder and Romeo Lavia is quite high on the list of options. Lavia would be keen on the move, but price is currently a stumbling block,” Jacobs explained.
“Southampton want £50m for Lavia and Liverpool don’t see him as being worth anywhere near that much. It’s the same for Arsenal and Chelsea. Those two clubs are focused elsewhere for now, but can’t be ruled out. Arsenal want to understand if Thomas Partey will leave. And Chelsea are exploring Brighton’s Moises Caicedo with near-daily talks.
“This is why Southampton are being so firm on price for now. They feel if they wait a little then more suitors may emerge and then they’ll get a bidding war.
“Liverpool view Lavia’s £40m buyback clause – active in 2024 for Manchester City only – as a kind of top-end yardstick for valuation.
“And given Southampton have been relegated, and Lavia is open to a move, it wouldn’t surprise me if starting offers, should they arrive, were more around the low or mid-£30m mark.”
READ MORE: Liverpool could hijack Chelsea move or sign Lavia AND Doucoure as two £80m transfer plans emerge