Liverpool are in a tight race against time to secure the signing of Romeo Lavia before the new season kicks off, with hopes of giving the Belgian teenager an immediate debut.
Liverpool Face Rejections for Romeo Lavia
Despite their opening match against Chelsea on August 13, the Reds have faced repeated rejection in their attempts to acquire Lavia from Southampton.
Three bids, the latest totaling £46 million, have been dismissed, as Southampton holds out for their £50 million asking price.
Departures and Replacements
The departure of key midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia has left Liverpool in need of reinforcements.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to refresh the midfield lineup.
However, the pursuit of Lavia, identified as a long-term replacement for Fabinho, has intensified due to the urgency created by the midfield gaps.
Uncertainty!
Lavia’s status at Southampton is uncertain. He was not used in their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday and was omitted from the squad for the League Cup’s first-round loss to Gillingham.
Negotiations between Liverpool and Southampton are ongoing, and while Saints boss Russell Martin hasn’t ruled out Lavia’s departure, he doesn’t anticipate any movement before the weekend. Martin told BBC Radio Solent on Tuesday night:
“There needs to be movement that suits us as a club. I don’t envisage anything changing between now and the weekend, but it’s football, right, so anything can happen.”
The Clock is Ticking…
Liverpool faces a logistical challenge to register Lavia in time for him to play against Chelsea.
According to Premier League rules, the transfer needs to be completed by midday on Friday before a Sunday match.
Presently, the three rejected bids indicate that Lavia remains a Southampton player with no breakthrough in talks yet.
As the 2023/24 Premier League season approaches, Liverpool aim to regain their competitive edge.
In essence, Liverpool’s race against time to secure Romeo Lavia’s signature highlights the pressing need for midfield reinforcements before the season opener.
The persistent negotiation challenges with Southampton underscore the complexities of player acquisitions in the competitive football landscape.