Liverpool risk walking away from top target as another bid is rejected

As The Top Flight reported last week, Liverpool saw a bid for Romeo Lavia rejected by Southampton. There was an expectation that a second bid for Lavia from Liverpool would come, but Chelsea was also seen as a hijack threat. Southampton manager Russell Martin made comments last week that would suggest Romeo Lavia’s focus may now be on a transfer away.

While the latest news about Romeo Lavia is a piece of not-great news for Liverpool fans, a second bid has been sent to Southampton, according to Fabrizio Romano. Liverpool have submitted a £42m bid that includes add-ons. Southampton have yet to respond to the bid, but the expectation is they will reject it, holding out on their £50m valuation of Lavia. Discussions between Liverpool and Southampton will continue, and it is believed that Romeo Lavia is keen on a move to Liverpool.

The reliable Paul Joyce reports that if Southampton continues to stand still on their valuation of Romeo Lavia, Liverpool may move towards alternative targets. André of Fluminense is someone Liverpool admires and could be an option should negotiations for Romeo Lavia fall apart. Joyce does state, though, that Fluminense would rather wait until next year to sell the 22-year-old midfielder.

Liverpool must still watch out for Chelsea in terms of a Lavia transfer hijack. Discussions between Brighton and Chelsea on Moises Caicedo have yet to progress. It’s not out of the question that Chelsea could switch their focus to Liverpool’s top target.

Romeo Lavia and Southampton start their EFL Championship season Friday at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday. If negotiations between Southampton and Liverpool move nearer toward an agreement, Lavia could theoretically be left out of the squad for injury protection. With Jordan Henderson and Fabinho now gone, Liverpool absolutely need to get a midfielder in before the start of the Premier League season.