Football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor has identified Romeo Lavia as a potential long-term successor for Fabinho in the Liverpool midfield,
As part of Tifo’s ‘Sensible Transfers’ series, Lavia was picked out as a possible heir to the Brazilian in Jurgen Klopp’s current squad.
The 18-year-old starlet was let go by Manchester City this summer for a fee that could reach £14m with the Sky Blues ‘reluctant’ to let one of their up-and-coming youngsters depart.
He is ‘well regarded’ at the Etihad Stadium with it thought that one day he could break into the first team (The Athletic) and that is perhaps exemplified by the £40m buy-back clause installed in the deal.
However, Stafford-Bloor has urged the Reds to keep a watchful eye on how the Belgian fares while on the south coast and believes that he could have the potential to fill Fabinho’s position at Anfield one day.
“Lavia is interesting, because he’s commanded a big fee – around £15m – despite having almost no senior experience to speak of.
“The Belgian was heavily hyped at youth level and spent most of the 2021/22 season as the deepest point of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad.
“He’s a very well-rounded player, and given the fee paid for him, he’s expected to start alongside Oriol Romeu for Southampton almost immediately.
“City have a £40m buy-back clause, but he’s still someone worth paying attention to.”
TIF Thoughts on Lavia and Liverpool…
Do Liverpool need to make more signings?
Yes!
No!
The Belgium U21 international only made two senior appearances under Pep Guardiola but played 20 times as City secured the Premier League Two title holding down the fort at the base of the midfield.
He has been tipped for success by compatriot Kevin De Bruyne for both club and country and while the Manchester club have the chance to bring back the promising midfielder perhaps Liverpool could steal a march beforehand and guarantee him first-team exposure should he continue to develop with the Saints