Liverpool ready transfer bid for £50m-rated Romeo Lavia as Reds edge ahead of Chelsea in race for exciting Southampton midfielder

Liverpool are reportedly readying a bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, with the teenage midfielder valued at £50 million ($63m).

The highly-rated 19-year-old caught the eye last season for the Saints as they suffered relegation out of the Premier League, with the youngster enjoying an impressive breakthrough campaign at senior level following a move to St Mary’s from Manchester City.

Lavia’s obvious potential is attracting plenty of admiring glances, with Chelsea and Arsenal also said to have been keeping a close eye on his development. According to talkSPORT, Liverpool have edged to the front of that recruitment queue.

The Reds are said to be preparing an opening bid for Lavia as rival suitors begin to fall away – with Chelsea more concerned with sales at the moment, while Arsenal are preparing to smash their transfer record in a £105m ($133m) deal for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

Lavia took in 34 appearances for Southampton last season and does have a buy-back clause in his contract that City can activate, but not until 2024. That is leaving the door open for Liverpool to make a move this summer, with the Reds having already tied up deals for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the current window.