Why Saints are playing Lavia hardball amid Liverpool interest
Tom Weber
- Updated: 2 Aug 2023 15:29 BST
- 3 min read
Southampton have no intention of making life easy for Liverpool regarding the potential transfer of Romeo Lavia.
The Reds are once again in the market for a midfielder following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho for the Saudi Pro League. Having already brought in two attack-minded players in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke are now working on signing a defensive midfielder.
Romeo Lavia has emerged as Liverpool's priority target in that department, but Southampton have rejected both of their bids thus far, with the second one falling a few million short of the Saints' reported asking price of £50 million (€58m).
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Given that the Reds have already spent €112m on the aforementioned two signings, they have been reluctant to match Lavia's price tag outright. But even if they were to do so, there is no guarantee that the Saints would be ready to sell and they could even attempt to squeeze even more money out of the deal.
Southampton want a 'win-win'
That is because, according to the Daily Record, Southampton have adopted a "rigorous approach to player sales following their return to the Championship." Co-owner and head of football strategy Rasmus Ankersen is playing hardball regarding departures because he is seeking to get the best deal possible.
Sporting director Jason Wilcox said last week: "I think when a club makes an offer, very rarely is it their full and final offer. If we get the right offer, we will consider it. Consider is an important word because we don’t have to sell. We’re a big football club. We’re not going to allow players to leave if we don’t feel it’s a win-win."
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The above-mentioned report claims that "Southampton are confident of achieving a fee in excess of £60m for Lavia." Whether Liverpool - or any other club - would be prepared to match that sum for the youngster is doubtful and the Reds are already lining up a potential alternative in Fluminense's Andre.
