The latest news from the Liverpool camp is that German tactician Jürgen Klopp is pushing the club’s hierarchy to do more to secure the services of Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
The former Manchester City teenager was relegated from the Premier League with the Saints last season. His performances stood out, however, that he is regarded as one of the few £50 million and above players in their ranks.
Southampton are not willing to listen to offers less than that for the 19-year-old. Liverpool found this out when they tabled a £37 million bid for the player and were immediately rebuffed.
The Reds are undergoing the biggest overhaul in the league, second only to Chelsea who have let 13 players go this summer. In the middle of the park, the Reds have let go of captain Jordan Henderson, James Miller, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and are close to parting ways with Fabinho if they get the right price.
In response, they have only added the talents of 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and highly-rated Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. Lavia will complete a full first team rebuild for Klopp’s team but Southampton and Liverpool are locked in a negotiation that is taking a lot of time, in Klopp’s perspective.
He has now prodded the club’s sporting arena to do what they can to finalise Lavia’s move to Anfield before they travel to Singapore for their next pre-season outing.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager is also aware of Chelsea’s dog in the race, according to reports. This has led to him giving his club an ultimatum to finalise the deal for the Belgian, who he needs to officially complete his squad rebuild.
Lavia, meanwhile, continues to pour himself into the Saints’ pre-season preparations, unsure of what the future holds.
Southampton boss Russell Martin praised him for keeping his head down despite the noise surrounding his future. “I thought Romeo, considering what’s going on, to play tonight and do all that stuff, it was good for him to get on the pitch as he has not had the minutes other people have had,” Martin said.
Then he added that the player’s future is in the club’s hands and that he is also eager to know. “You can ask for an update but I can’t give you one because I don’t know,” Martin added. “I’m going to speak to (sporting director) Jason (Wilcox) now but I’ve been preparing for this game.”
