Arsenal are advancing in the club’s pursuit of Romeo Lavia, but Southampton will demand a record fee for the midfielder.
Lavia was a leading light in Southampton’s season despite relegation from the Premier League and a number of top clubs have considered an approach for the 19-year-old.
Arsenal have made midfield additions their focus for the summer window and negotiations are ongoing between the Gunners and Southampton, while the north Londoners have held discussions with Lavia’s representatives over personal terms.
No official offer has been submitted, though Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Southampton will demand a record fee for the Belgian. Southampton’s current record sale is the £75m fee that took Virgil van Dijk from St Mary’s to Liverpool in January 2018.
Manchester United also remain interested in Lavia, but are focused on a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount at present, while Chelsea are also monitoring developments and had an offer for the teenager turned down last summer.
Lavia signed for Southampton from Manchester City in a £12.5m deal last summer and the Premier League champions inserted a buy-back clause of £40m that remains valid until 2024.
The buy-back clause will not remain an option if Lavia leaves Southampton for another club, though City will receive 20% of any fee as part of a sell-on clause.
