Liverpool’s £37 million bid for Romeo Lavia turned down by Southampton as they seek to bolster their midfield. The 19-year-old has been a subject of strong rumors throughout the summer, with Liverpool looking to strengthen their squad even before news of potential departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson emerged.
On Tuesday, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reported that Liverpool had engaged in “concrete negotiations” with Southampton after Lavia signaled his willingness to make the move. Acting swiftly, Liverpool presented their offer, which was subsequently rejected, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The initial bid from Liverpool fell short by £13 million, as it came in at £37 million, while Lavia’s valuation has been widely known to be £50 million for some time now. Despite facing relegation, Southampton appears to be in a strong position to negotiate, given the considerable interest in the young midfielder.
Adding to the complexity, Manchester City has a buyback option set at £40 million for Lavia, which will become active next summer, making Southampton’s stance even more nuanced.
For Liverpool, it seems they had always planned to submit an offer below the £50 million asking price if necessary, and now they will have to reevaluate their approach for the next bid.
With Fabinho’s potential £40 million move to Al Ittihad facing uncertainty, the club’s financial resources for securing a deal remain intact.
This development in the transfer market is a welcome sight for Liverpool fans, as there had been a notable lack of activity despite the expected departures in the midfield.
While Lavia’s arrival would be an exciting addition, there are doubts about his readiness to single-handedly take on the No. 6 role at this early stage of his career. He is a talented teenager with plenty of potential, but he would require time and development before assuming the defensive midfield responsibilities for Liverpool.
