Arsenal now in advanced talks to sign €32m 19yo

Arsenal are reportedly making significant progress in their negotiations to sign Southampton’s standout performer, Romeo Lavia.

The Gunners are eager to boost their midfield with this young talent, who has proved his mettle in the recently relegated side.

Lavia, just 19, had an exceptional season with Southampton despite their relegation, with a total of 34 appearances across all competitions.

His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, leading to interest from several top-flight clubs, including Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.

While Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on the situation, Arsenal appear to be in the driving seat, making significant strides in their talks with both Southampton and Lavia’s representatives.

However, Arsenal’s move could face a hitch due to a special clause held by Manchester City.

The reigning champions have a £40 million buyback clause for Lavia that becomes active next year. If Pep Guardiola decides to activate this clause, Arsenal’s potential move could be disrupted.

Even if City decide against exercising their buyback clause, they are still entitled to a portion of the fee that Southampton will receive for Lavia.

Despite these potential obstacles, Arsenal continue to lead the charge in the race for Lavia.

Their intent is clear as they hope to seal a deal for the young midfielder, making him a key part of their plans for the upcoming season.

As the transfer saga unfolds, Arsenal’s advanced talks for Romeo Lavia and the potential complications posed by Manchester City’s special clause will make for compelling watch for football fans.

Who is Romeo Lavia?

Romeo Lavia, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 18, 2004, is a promising young midfielder who grew up in Belgium. He began his footballing journey with RSC Anderlecht in Belgium, catching the attention of top European clubs with his skill and talent.

In 2020, Manchester City signed him for their youth academy, where he continued to shine.

He debuted for City’s senior team in September 2021 during a League Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers. Lavia’s performance, which encompassed work rate, physicality, and outstanding passing ability, earned him the man of the match award.

His style of play has drawn comparisons with former Manchester City star Yaya Toure.

Renowned for his ability to regain possession, strong, driving runs, and exceptional passing range, Lavia is considered one of England’s most promising talents. Despite his tender age, he has already made his senior debut for the Belgian national team.

Why did Romeo Lavia leave Manchester City?

Last summer, Romeo Lavia chose to depart Manchester City permanently and join Southampton for a fee reportedly around £12 million.

He had been a frequent part of City’s first-team training sessions and played a vital role in their under-23s’ title win. Despite the possibility of gaining senior minutes at City, Lavia opted for a move to Southampton, where he has since made 35 appearances, accumulating 2,537 minutes of playtime.

Discussing his decision, Lavia said, “In the middle of June, while I was doing my school exams, I heard about the interest from Southampton, and I was just like ‘let’s go’.”

He found Southampton’s culture and style of play appealing, particularly after witnessing it firsthand from the bench during a City game against Southampton.