Southampton FC only collected 25 points last season and were consequently relegated from the Premier League. The poor performance hasn’t stopped the biggest English clubs from keeping a close eye on the young squad of the “Saints” and luring the existing talent with top offers. This is particularly evident in the example of Roméo Lavia (19). Loud “TheTimesArsenal are preparing an offer for the defensive midfielder. This is to be sent to the English south coast as soon as the deal with West Ham’s Declan Rice (24) is finalized. Other sources suggest Mikel Arteta & Co will face stiff competition from Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC for the Belgium international’s signature.
That kind of interest in a player from a team that’s been significantly relegated doesn’t come around every day. What makes Lavia such an alluring talent and a player who will likely cost far more than his current market value of €32m – already the second most valuable player for the Saints behind captain James Ward-Prowse (€38m)?
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11 Mathys Tel | 18 | Bayern Munich | Market value: €20 million
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2022/23 was Lavia’s first full season at the professional level. Much of the interest stems from the fact that he’s had no trouble making his mark in the Premier League. Lavia, who only came out of Man City’s academy in 2022 for €12.3m, offered the physicality, speed and technique needed to play in England’s top flight. The former RSC Anderlecht youth player thrived in many ways, even if, as he can hardly be blamed, he failed to save his side from relegation.
Of all midfielders aged 22 and under in the Premier League, only two – Moisés Caicedo (21) and Amadou Onana (21) – recorded more interceptions than Lavia. While the Southampton talent finished second in ball recovery statistics, he finished fourth best in floor duels won, fourth best in tackles and first in blocked passes among his peers. In other words, Lavia is on course to become one of the Premier League’s dominant defensive midfielders.
So it’s easy to see why the said clubs want to sign the player. Arsenal will need a new ‘six’ once Granit Xhaka, 30, leaves the club. Liverpool have needed central support for a number of seasons and Chelsea will likely want to call on Lavia if Caicedos’ transfer fails. The Blues are said to have offered almost 60 million euros last summer, when he had just switched to the Saints. So it seems the Southampton pro could become one of the stars of the Premier League next season. It remains to be seen at which club he will develop his potential.
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27 Julian Alvarez | Man City | New market value: €60 million
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