Arsenal may pair Declan Rice with teenager Pep Guardiola dubbed "incredible"

16 June 2023 , 21:50

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Arsenal may pair Declan Rice with teenager Pep Guardiola dubbed "incredible"

By now, it is clear to just about everyone that Declan Rice is the first name on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's transfer wish-list this summer.

The Gunners have already seen one bid, worth £80million plus add-ons, rejected by West Ham and are thought to be in the process of putting together their second offer. It is widely believed that Arsenal are perfectly comfortable with the idea of paying north of £100m for the England international.

However, Rice is not the only man Arteta is keen on enticing to the Emirates this window. Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is also reportedly on his way, but the latest rumour suggest Rice's partner in the middle of the park next season will be Southampton's Romeo Lavia.

Initially, speculation suggested that Brighton's Moises Caicedo was to be the second midfield signing of Arsenal's summer. Alas, the Gunners balked at the Seagulls asking price and as a result have diverted their focus elsewhere.

Lavia has been identified as a suitable alternative, with the highly-rated teenager expected to leave the Saints following their relegation to the Championship last season.

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The Belgium international has plenty of admirers after being one of the few shining lights in an otherwise dismal campaign for Southampton.

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Romeo Lavia (Getty Images)

All of Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United as well as Arsenal have been linked with Lavia at one stage. It was the other big-six outfit in Manchester City that actually already had the midfielder, prior to his switch to the Saints last summer.

Lavia has hid fans at the Etihad as well, including boss Pep Guardiola, who heaped praise on the 19-year-old ahead of City's clash with Southampton last term.

"I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing,” the City manager told the media.

"We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.

"(It’s a) Good experience to go to the Premier League and play at this early age. So important."

Much like in their efforts to sign Rice, Arsenal may fear City could scupper their plans to land Lavia given the treble winners inserted a buyback clause in his deal after he parted ways to the tune of £10.5m.

Thankfully for those of an Arsenal persuasion, it is unlikely that Guardiola opts to use it given City are focused on their own midfield targets, which include both Rice and Chelsea ace Matteo Kovacic.

Josh O'Brien