Romeo Lavia, a target for Liverpool, has been able to leave after Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
The Saints spent the majority of last season stuck at the bottom of the standings, which forced them to leave the Premier League after 11 seasons and return to the Championship.
Southampton is aware that rivals will be circling for its top talent this summer, as is frequently the case with relegated clubs, and they have no illusions about avoiding that fate.
Lavia, 19, was an outstanding player throughout his 34 games, and a number of clubs are said to be interested in him, including Liverpool.
According to recent reports, discussions with the players’ agents are “advancing well,” and the new Southampton manager, Russel Martin, acknowledges he will lose some of his players.
“I hope I can convince some people to stay who were maybe 50-50 about it. I think there are some players who we can’t avoid who will be back in the Premier League,” Martin told BBC Radio Solent.
That’s the nature of the game and some of them will be far too attractive to Premier League teams and will want to go and play in the Premier League. You have to respect that.”
The Saints are said to be asking for a fee in the region of £50 million for the midfielder, who will eventually qualify as a homegrown player – a valuable asset for Liverpool.
But while Martin respects he will likely lose the likes of Lavia and James Ward-Prowse, he is not as accepting of the transfer window closing nearly a month into the Championship season
“I think it’s nonsense that in the transfer window, you can start the season and then four weeks later, you can lose five players. I think it’s ridiculous,” he commented to the Daily Echo. “But that is what it is.”
He added: “I’ve been really honest in the individual chats we’ve had.
“Even the ones who think they’ll end up back playing in the Premier League and want to, and there’s interest for them, as long as they give it all they’ve got while they’re here, they owe that to the club after last season in particular.”
Lavia looks to have become the Reds’ next priority in the transfer window but a reporter has suggested Liverpool need to sell before they opt to add a third midfielder – a line no doubt coming out of the club
Thiago‘s name has done the rounds amid interest from Saudi Arabia, but we saw how quickly things changed with Dominik Szoboszlai when the right deal presents itsel
Either way, it all makes for an interesting few weeks ahead for Liverpool.nf..pool.
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