So it’s come to this. After weeks of tinkering with a deal in the region of £40m plus for Romeo Lavia, Liverpool have caved and gone all out to salvage their remaining priority target.
Ben Jacobs reported on X that Southampton believe the transfer will come down to the player’s choice, which could suit the Reds anyway given his prior indicated preference of an Anfield switch.
Not quite the same as with Moises Caicedo, who was set on Chelsea. Lavia has spent much of the summer telling Liverpool he is keen on joining prior to Chelsea formally entering the race. And #LFC have moved quickly and with a higher offer than Chelsea's last bid.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 14, 2023
Saints indicating it will simply come down to player choice, which implies they are willing to do a deal with both clubs. Second Chelsea vs. Liverpool transfer battle in the space of a few days potentially incoming…
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 14, 2023
Whether Chelsea have turned the tide by stealing in an early march on the move, however, does remain to be seen.
READ MORE: ‘Final announcement’ – Belgian journo shares interesting Lavia update for Liverpool fans
READ MORE: Klopp just shared his true feelings on Caicedo frustration with pointed Pochettino reply
Much in a similar vein to Brighton, it’s abundantly clear that the Saints won’t be playing favourites – not even with the larger bid coming from our end of the divide.
Hopefully, our clear need for a No.6 and the possibility of regular minutes – not to mention European football – will shine over the project at Stamford Bridge.
Lavia’s ultimately more of a gamble of an option as a Fabinho replacement, though with the options so few in the market, we can hardly afford to be overly picky.
It’s impossible to truly describe the incompetence of LFC negotiators. Could have got Lavia for £50mil last week in a mutually agreed deal. Now in yet another Dutch Auction with Chelsea and could be at least 20% higher. Horse traders they ain’t. More like donkey derbies
I am LFC supporter from Jamaica because of John Barnes. But truthfully is five big clubs in England four of the big clubs they run business like Tesco and Asda LFC run business like a corner shop it hurts me to say that but is reality.