The Romeo Lavia Liverpool transfer saga is rumbling on with Liverpool and Southampton still at loggerheads over a transfer fee. The Reds have been pursuing the 19-year-old holding midfielder all summer and are determined to get their man before the new Premier League season gets underway in just two weeks' time.
Earlier this week, Liverpool submitted their first official bid for the midfielder with Southampton swiftly rejecting the offer. According to the reliable David Ornstein, the bid was worth around £37m which fell well short of the Saints' valuation of Lavia. It is believed that they are holding out for an offer of £50m and hope that interest from other clubs, including Chelsea, could force Liverpool's hand in the coming days.
The Saints may well get their wish, too, as reports this morning suggest that Liverpool are set to come in with a fresh bid for Lavia. According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool's new bid will be worth £42.5m up front and a further £2.5m in add-ons. This would take the overall value of the deal up to £45m, which could be the point of compromise between the two parties.
Will Southampton accept Liverpool's new Lavia offer?
At this moment in time, it is unclear whether Southampton will be happy with an overall fee of £45m or not for Lavia. They have insisted all summer that they won't sell him for under £50m, however, their resolve may be tested due to the fact they could be forced to sell him for £40m next summer if Manchester City come calling.
When City sold Lavia to Southampton, they inserted a clause in the contract which stated that from 2024 the Blues could buy him back for £40m. With that looming in the background, the powers that be at Southampton could be tempted to accept Liverpool's £45m bid to ensure they don't lose him for cheaper next summer.
Liverpool and Southampton, in contact to discuss Roméo Lavia deal again today 🔴🇧🇪 #LFC
New bid expected to be around £42.5m plus £2.5m add ons fee — as reported on Wednesday.
Southampton insist on £50m package but details of the deal/payment terms and more being discussed. pic.twitter.com/YUN9ov73F7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2023
If the bid is accepted, then personal terms between Lavia and Liverpool aren't expected to be a problem. The young Belgian, who was Southampton's best player in their relegation campaign last season, would commit to a long-term deal at Anfield and given Liverpool's tight salary structure, wouldn't necessarily be earning extortionate money.
If Southampton do reject Liverpool's latest offer, then it is unclear whether the Reds will then turn their attention elsewhere or come back with a third offer. They had previously been linked with a move for Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, however, the Morocco international has reportedly agreed to move to Manchester United.
Why Liverpool need Lavia
In recent years, Liverpool have built up a reputation of being a club that won't be bullied or dictated to in the transfer market. Under normal circumstances, they perhaps would have already walked away from the deal after seeing their initial offer knocked back, however, they are in quite a vulnerable position in the sense that they need more bodies in midfield and everyone in world football knows it.
At the end of last season, they released Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner but the midfield exodus didn't end there. Jordan Henderson, who Jurgen Klopp was counting on this season, has sensationally left the club after accepting a very lucrative offer from Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia while Fabinho is also reportedly on the verge of going to Saudi Arabia.
Although Liverpool have secured the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, they are still theoretically three midfielders down from last season and are specifically lacking in the defensive midfield department. Lavia is a ready-made holding midfielder who could play in that position for Klopp for many years to come.
