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Southampton agree £14m deal with Manchester City for Romeo Lavia - Sky Sports
Southampton have agreed a £14m deal with Manchester City to sign midfielder Romeo Lavia on a permanent contract, according to Sky Sports.
The City academy graduate is very highly rated and made his first-team debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 2021/22 campaign during the FA Cup clash against Wycombe Wanderers.
But with Kalvin Phillips moving to the Etihad Stadium this summer from Leeds, the 18-year-old is looking for more regular first-team football and has found an opportunity with the Saints who are looking to bolster their squad.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have seen off interest from Leeds and others to seal a deal, with the total fee coming to £14m for the Belgium Under-21 international, who is capable of playing as a holding midfielder or in defence.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the transfer will include a buy-back clause for City although the amount has not been shared.
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Southampton are a club who are very proud of their policy to play young players and Lavia is someone who will join and continue that tradition if he’s good enough to get into the side.
Currently the club have got midfield options of James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Nathan Tella and Will Smallbone, but the manager is keen to add more quality and depth to his squad.
Lavia will come in with the experience of playing under Guardiola, so his ability on the ball won’t be in question, and he is now expected to kick on and show his hunger and desire to become better and cement himself in the squad.
He’ll be joined on the south coast by another signing from City, with Gavin Bazunu having already completed a deal to become a goalkeeper for the Saints.
Interestingly he also arrives with more first-team experience than that of Timo Livramento did when he joined from Chelsea last summer and he instantly impressed.
If Lavia can do the same, then fans will adore him and City will keep a close eye just in case he turns into the player many believe he could.
In other Southampton news, Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill targeted by Saints for a summer move