Liverpool in Talks for Sensational £50m Gem, Potentially Displacing Fabinho
Romeo Lavia has been closely connected to a move to Liverpool this summer, and an update on the club’s pursuit of the player has just surfaced.
What has changed in Liverpool’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia?
Liverpool are one of the Premier League clubs in “concrete talks” to recruit the Southampton midfielder this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
Plettenberg revealed on Twitter:
“Roméo #Lavia, there are still ongoing, serious discussions with Chelsea, Arsenal, and particularly Liverpool, of which Klopp is a huge fan! #LFC.
He is expected to cost around £50 million this summer, I’ve been told. Barcelona was interested in the 19-year-old, but this summer, Barca cannot afford his price.
Romeo Lavia, what kind of midfielder is he?
The much-needed midfield overhaul has already begun thanks to Jurgen Klopp and his new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining the Merseyside giants ahead of the 2019–20 campaign.
While the two will greatly increase the attacking presence in midfield, Fabinho struggled to uphold his high standards during the previous season, so there is potential for growth in the center of the pitch’s more defensive operations.
The veteran Brazilian received harsh criticism for his underwhelming efforts in the deeper position of the midfield three last season, with talkSPORT analyst Scott Minto blasting the former Monaco player:
“You mention (Jordan) Henderson, certainly, but right now you mention Fabinho. Who is he right now? I have no idea who he is; he is currently playing like his twin brother. He’s not the player he was in previous years, for sure.
Now that a transfer to Lavia appears to be a strong possibility, Fabinho’s time at Anfield may be coming to an end. However, if the Southampton star can quickly establish himself in midfield, he may wind up as Klopp’s most dependable defender.
The Saints star beat Fabinho in his successful take-ons rate (56% vs. 46.7%) and percentage of dribblers tackled (39.6% vs. 38.7%), according to FBref, when comparing the positional rivals’ production during the previous season despite being only 19 years old and having far less experience.
Furthermore, during the past 12 months, the Manchester City academy product, who was called “sensational” by journalist Lewis Steele, has completed more tackles per 90 than Fabinho (2.13) has, as well as more interceptions and blocks (1.34 vs. 1.25 each).
The only stumbling block Liverpool have to overcome in their interest of Lavia is his inflated price tag with his recently relegated club refusing to budge on the whopping £50m they have put on their young prospect’s head this summer, and after already spending over £95m it would come as no surprise to the Anfield faithful if their tight-spending owners refused to sanction the move at the quoted fee.
In light of this, Klopp’s pursuit of developing the next generation of talent capable of competing for multiple trophies like those before them would benefit greatly from the signing of Lavia. If Fabinho is unable to match Lavia’s output in the Liverpool team the following season, his career may be over.