Man Utd ‘in mix’ to steal £50m top Liverpool target with Ten Hag’s side emerging as ‘surprise’ suitor

According to reports, Man Utd have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who is valued at around £50m.

The 19-year-old impressed for Southampton last season as they were relegated from the Premier League.

He was always likely to secure himself a move back to the Premier League this summer. He was linked with Arsenal and Chelsea earlier this window but Liverpool have since emerged as his most likely next destination.

Southampton have set their asking price at £50m and Liverpool’s first rejected offer for the midfielder was for around £34m.

On Monday, it was reported that Liverpool are preparing an improved bid for Lavia and this is going to be ‘nearer to Southampton’s valuation’. 

But Liverpool could now face competition from Man Utd, who are in the market for a new defensive midfielder who could compete with Casemiro.

The Red Devils are being heavily linked with Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat after he was one of the standout players at last year’s World Cup.

But The Daily Mail are reporting that ‘a foreign club and Manchester United are the surprise elements still in the mix’ for Lavia along with Liverpool.

United would reportedly ‘have to sell’ before they pursue Lavia, while Amrabat is a ‘much cheaper and ready-made option’. Liverpool have also been linked with the Serie A star but they have ‘not stepped in’ for him ‘as it stands’.

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The report also claimed that Man Utd have their eyes on Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

‘United may be content that they have three priority signings in the bag, once Rasmus Hojlund completes his medical, following on from Mason Mount and Andre Onana, but they have still been courting agents and players over centre-backs, midfielders and goalkeepers in recent days.

‘Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is one well-known target, though he has received interest from Al Ahli over the weekend, but Nice’s much-improved defender Jean-Clair Todibo has come back into the reckoning while Everton’s left-sided centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who impressed scouts while on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, is a surprise name that has been floated.

‘United are awaiting offers from Real Sociedad for Donny van de Beek while Galatasaray have been short on their offerings for Fred but Fulham and Saudi clubs remain in the frame. Harry Maguire’s future is still to be resolved also.’

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