Southampton have rejected an opening offer from Liverpool for Romeo Lavia. Mail Sport reported on Friday that developments in the pursuit of midfielder Lavia were imminent and Liverpool have now firmed up their interest.
Liverpool’s offer, understood to be in the region of £35m plus-add ons, has been knocked back by Southampton.
But the Anfield club are expected to return with an improved offer.
Chelsea also want to sign Lavia and Southampton are braced for a rival bid for the Belgian youngster from them too. Southampton want around £50m for Lavia, 19, who moved to St Mary’s from Manchester City last summer and impressed in his debut Premier League campaign.
Both of Lavia’s biggest suitors are targeting him amid their midfield revamps. Liverpool have lost a number of central midfield options this summer with captain Jordan Henderson poised to join the exodus and on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq.
Chelsea have seen N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Denis Zakaria all depart and also have serious interest in Conor Gallagher from West Ham.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
