Sacha Tavolieri has identified a few reasons why Romeo Lavia is likely to reject a transfer to Chelsea and instead join Liverpool this summer.
The Reds’ initial £37 million approach for the Southampton midfielder was rejected this week (The Athletic), but the west London club is also interested in the 19-year-old (Sky Sports News).
The rumoured interest from the two Premier League clubs might provide the Saints with the bidding war they were hoping for, albeit the Merseysiders appear to be in pole position to sign the Belgium international.
“Despite Chelsea (and now Joe Shields) last minute pressing that we anticipated already yesterday & that will be even more intensive in the coming hours due to Caicedo’s case (who remains the priority), Liverpool continued to advance on Romeo Lavia with Southampton today, still leaning towards Liverpool,” Tavolieri tweeted late Thursday night.
“The LFC plan persuaded the Belgian midfielder and his entourage.” Football in Europe is also important. Human factors and the sports initiative are important to Lavia’s family, who are highly conscientious and decent people. A turn around in fortunes appears doubtful, but this circumstance may allow the Saints to secure the £50 million package they seek.”
Liverpool will not be the only team thrilled with how the Lavia scenario is developing; Southampton will also welcome the push from Chelsea, as it may create competition, allowing the Saints to demand their £50 million asking price (The Athletic).
The fact that the teenager looks to desire a transfer to Anfield should put the Reds in a strong position to complete the deal, and Jurgen Klopp will be pleased to hear Tavolieri’s remark that the 19-year-old’s family is’reasonable,’ as this will ease talks and future deals.
Furthermore, it demonstrates that even qualifying for the Europa League can provide a team with crucial bargaining power, with the Blues’ failure to secure any European football for 2023/24 looking likely to hurt them in this case.
Liverpool must be wary of Chelsea throwing money at Southampton to try and snare Lavia late in the day, having exercised their financial muscles so frequently during Todd Boehly’s rule in order to land their transfer targets.
Having said that, all signals seem to trend very much in the Reds’ favor right now, so maybe they can now get it over the line from here.
