All the latest transfer chatter and speculation linking Southampton's Romeo Lavia with a move to Arsenal this summer
Arsenal are reportedly progressing in talks to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia. The Belgian midfielder has been tipped to leave the Saints following their relegation from the Premier League.
The north Londoners are eager to bolster their midfield options during the summer transfer window, football.london understands and West Ham United captain Declan Rice is at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. However, with Granit Xhaka and Jorginho both linked with exits, the Gunners are seeking to make Rice and Lavia their new midfield for next season.
football.london has rounded up all the latest transfer talk and rumours there are regarding the Gunners and the Belgian international.
Advancing talks
Arsenal are advancing in talks to sign Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia this summer, though there is yet to be an official bid made. That's according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Gunners are making progress, though the Saints are likely to ask for a fee above their record for a player under the age of 21 - which sits at £32million when Luke Shaw joined Manchester United in 2014.
Talks take place
Arsenal are not giving up on signing Romeo Lavia just because of their continued bid to bring in Declan Rice, according to Fabrizio Romano. "Arsenal have concrete and strong interest in Romeo Lavia," he tweeted.
"Relationship is excellent with his camp — talks already took place." The Gunners are desperate to add a new midfielder to their squad this summer.
"Timing will be crucial as Chelsea remain interested. Man United appreciate Lavia but still not advancing. City buy back clause only valid 2024," finished Romano.
Arsenal talks 'progressing'
According to Miguel Delaney, the midfielder is on Arteta's radar after cooling their interest in Brighton's Moises Caicedo. They do, however, share interest with London rivals Chelsea.
Southampton price tag
Arsenal will have to cough up between £40million-£50million to sign Lavia this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The high valuation of the Belgian is said to be down to three clauses inserted into his contract. The first is in regard to Man City, his former side, being able to match any bid that arrives with a buyback clause - around £40million. The final clause entitles City to 20% of any future sale.
Two midfielders to join?
As per transfer expert Ben Jacobs, Arsenal could look to sign two of Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice this summer as Sporting Director Edu looks to get his business done early.
“Arsenal could still come back in for Moises Caicedo, even if the priority is Declan Rice. And they could go for Romeo Lavia as well", Jacobs told GiveMeSport. "They won’t get all three, but it could indicate that they might be looking for two in the centre of the park when these targets are concrete.
“They’re looking at such a high volume of players because not all these deals are easy, particularly the ones involving Brighton. Roberto De Zerbi will not want a mass exodus, and Brighton will only sell on their terms."
Summer shortlist
Now, The Daily Mail have named Lavia as one of the three midfielders that Arsenal have on their summer shortlist, alongside the aforementioned Rice and Brighton starlet Moises Caicedo.
The report claims that the Gunners are desperate to close the gap on league-leaders Manchester City, with not just one but potentially two central midfielders targeted as sporting director Edu looks to bolster Arteta's squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Manchester City advantage
Southampton's £12million deal to sign Lavia last summer has a clause that gives Manchester City a chance to buy him back for £40million, although this clause doesn't become active until 2024.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, this will likely mean the youngster should cost more than that if he is to leave St Mary's Stadium this summer. Writing for CaughtOffside, he said: “Nothing has changed for Romeo Lavia, at the moment. It’s normal to see big clubs linked because he’s a top talent but there’s nothing concrete at this stage.
“It’s fair to remember that Man City have £40m buy back clause for Lavia, so value has to be higher for sure.”
Kevin De Bruyne verdict
Lavia's rise to prominence in recent months is unlikely to surprise former Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who has previously heaped praise on the 19-year-old when the pair were teammates. Speaking about his fellow Belgian international to Play Sports last year, De Bruyne said: "He is very good.
"He's been training with us since the end of last year. If he continues his development, I think he'll be a top player."
Interest confirmed
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the north London outfit are interested in Lavia, as well as Brighton's Moises Caicedo. Speaking on his YouTube channel his earlier this year, Romano said: "Romeo Lavia is attracting very important interest.
"He is a top talent as a midfielder. Let me say one thing, the buy-back clause for Manchester City is in the contract starting from summer 2024, not now, this is why Man City do not have full control over Lavia this upcoming summer. Other clubs are interested, Arsenal are keeping an eye on the player, Arsenal are following Romeo Lavia, at the moment it’s nothing advanced.
"Remember my words, Caicedo remains a target after the discussions they had during the January transfer window. Caicedo is in the list again at Arsenal and Romeo Lavia is a player they are following."