Mikel Arteta’s side are in a three-way battle to sign the Belgium international (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in the race to sign £50m Southampton star Romeo Lavia, according to reports.
The 19-year-old only signed for Southampton last summer from Manchester City, penning a five-year contract – but after their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship – it looks set to be a swift exit from St Mary’s.
Chelsea have already opened negotiations with Southampton over a deal while Liverpool are plotting a bid for Lavia and have been in contact with the defensive midfielder’s representatives.
But it is now reported that Arsenal have also held talks with Lavia and have an ‘excellent relationship’ with his camp, with the Gunners thought to have ‘concrete and strong interest’ in bringing him to the Emirates.
The north Londoners are having somewhat of a midfield revamp and are ready to cash in on Thomas Partey this summer with him and Granit Xhaka both set to leave the club in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are believed to admire Lavia but are not advancing their interest while City’s buy-back clause is only valid until 2024.
Lavia is one of Southampton’s most valuable assets so they want to make sure they maximise their profit when he inevitably leaves and they are thought to be demanding as much as £50m for him.
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This is partly because there are several clauses in his contract signed after moving from City, including that his former club will receive 25 per cent of any sell-on fee.
The likes of James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters and Tino Livramento are all likely to attract bids from Premier League clubs too after Southampton were relegated, but the Saints are pushing for big prices.
With the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa interested in Ward-Prowse, the south coast club are also hoping for £50m for the England international.
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A three-way battle for his signature…