15 August 2023 , 18:11
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Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox has admitted the current situation facing Romeo Lavia is "tricky" for the midfielder but expects a resolution to the saga within "days".
Chelsea and Liverpool are both keen on the 19-year-old, who joined Southampton from Manchester City in 2022. The Belgian made enough of an impact last season, despite Southampton's relegation, to convince the two big-hitters that he can play Premier League football this season.
Southampton have already lost James Ward-Prowse, with the former club captain joining West Ham in a deal worth around £30m. Wilcox confirmed a bid has already been accepted for Lavia, but things aren't as straightforward as they might be.
Chelsea and Liverpool have already gone toe-to-toe once this summer, with both clubs targeting Moises Caicedo. It was Chelsea who won that race, paying a Premier League record sum for the Ecuador midfielder, and it has been suggested that the Blues may come out on top for a second time.
"I think you know, it's well known that we've had some significant interest in Romeo, we've had an offer which we accepted from Liverpool," Wilcox said at a BBC Solent Fans’ Forum event at St Mary’s. "Then Chelsea came to the table.
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"So we're currently in negotiation with Chelsea now so it's a real tricky period for Romeo. But I'm confident that something will get done in the next week or so or in the next few days.
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Southampton boss Russell Martin has already lost a number of senior stars this summer (MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)"And I think, you know, when we look at what Romeo's achieved here, I think every one of us here wouldn't want to lose him but the reality is, we're in the Championship and we need to reinvest and by buying Shea Charles, we've got another one who hopefully we can do the same with. So good luck to Romeo. Let's say it's not done yet. But we envisage in the next few days it will be completed.”
Former Manchester City youngster Charles has been Southampton's most expensive new recruit so far this summer. The 19-year-old made his Championship debut in the second game of the season, a 4-4 draw with Norwich, and also played against Gillingham in the Carabao Cup.
Other new arrivals include Ryan Manning, who followed manager Russell Martin to St Mary's from Swansea. The Irish international has played both league games for his new club, who sit inside the play-off spots on goal difference.
Southampton are also understood to be closing in on a loan deal for another ex-Swansea player, Flynn Downes. The midfielder joined West Ham last summer, but is expected to join on a season-long loan after Ward-Prowse's move to the London Stadium pushed him down the pecking order.