Barcelona have had a loan-to-buy offer rejected for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, with Arsenal and Liverpool thought to be the most interested Premier League sides in the 19-year-old’s signature.
Barcelona were reportedly interested in securing the services of Liverpool and Arsenal target Romeo Lavia from Southampton before deciding to sign Oriol Romeu. That is according to a report from SPORT, which claims that the reigning La Liga champions made an approach about signing the Belgian on loan with an option to buy but failed with their bid as the Saints look to sell Lavia permanently.
Sergio Busquets’s departure at the end of last month left Barcelona without a natural pivot in their first-team setup. As a result, they desperately needed at least one new signing in that department this summer. Former La Masia graduate Romeu is joining them from Girona for a nominal fee; however, SPORT claims they were considering other options.
Xavi’s men have been keeping a close eye on the progress of 19-year-old Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, who impressed in his first season at Southampton after joining from Manchester City last summer. He was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal campaign for the Saints, who were relegated to the Championship after finishing rock bottom.
The 19-year-old’s stellar performances have seen him linked with a move to a host of top Premier League clubs. However, Barcelona also registered their interest and made contact to enquire if a deal could be agreed.
The player was keen on the move to Camp Nou. But Southampton were not willing to loan him out for a year. The Saints are looking for a fee of around €40 million for Lavia as they look to balance their books following relegation from the Premier League.
Barcelona are still in a perilous financial situation and are unlikely to commit to a big fee this summer, an update that comes as a huge boost to Arsenal and Liverpool’s chances of signing the midfielder. With the Catalan giants now pulling out of the race, it leaves the Gunners and the Reds to battle it out for his signature this summer.
Liverpool, for one, are widely reported to be leading the race for Lavia’s signature, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson set to leave Anfield for Saudi Arabia this summer. Fabinho’s exit, in particular, would leave Liverpool in need of a defensive midfielder. Despite his lack of experience, Lavia is one of the main targets. But if they are not quick, they could face stiff competition from Arsenal.
Recent reports have claimed that Arsenal could step up their own interest in the player following developments over Thomas Partey’s future. The Ghanaian midfielder has “agreed terms” with an unnamed Saudi Pro League club and is on the verge of sealing an exit from the Emirates this summer, leaving Mikel Arteta and Edu with the task of finding an apt replacement.
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Lavia is not the Gunners’ priority target in the engine room this summer, with Declan Rice already arriving in a club-record £105 million deal. But clearly, it would be a huge statement of intent from Arsenal if they could now move ahead of Liverpool to bring Lavia to the Emirates.
