Arsenal are battling Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign Romeo Lavia this summer, just a year after he left Manchester City.
That’s according to The Daily Mail, who claim that Southampton are ‘facing a battle‘ to hold on to their hugely talented teenage midfielder beyond the end of this campaign.
Arsenal will be on the market for a new midfielder this summer, but would Lavia be a good fit?
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arsenal want to sign ex-Man City midfielder Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia, like Albert Sambi Lokonga, is a product of Anderlecht’s fantastic youth academy.
The Belgian giants have produced numerous world-class players over the years like Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans and Vincent Kompany, and there’s every chance Lavia will go on to have a successful career like his older compatriots.
The now 19-year-old spent two years at Manchester City, but only made two senior appearances. He was allowed to leave last summer and Southampton snapped him up for £10.5 million (BBC).
Lavia has been sensational this season. Even though the Saints have looked awful, he has been their shining light, and there’s a huge chance he’ll leave the club in the summer, especially if they get relegated.
The report claims that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in Lavia, but Manchester City inserted a buy-back clause in the deal when they sold him. They can re-sign him for around £40 million next summer.
The Insider’s View:
Lavia is a phenomenal young player.
Branded as a midfielder with ‘enormous football qualities‘ by Belgian coach Wesley Sonck, the teenager has the potential to become a top player one day, and it’s no surprise at all that he’s being linked with a move to big clubs.
Arsenal will definitely be on the market for a new midfielder this summer. If we sell Albert Sambi Lokonga, we may even need two – Lavia would be a fantastic option for us.
However, with multiple clubs interested in his services, it will not be easy to get him.