Manchester City could pip Chelsea to signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer with both clubs keen on the youngster’s signature.
Lavia signed for Southampton last summer from the Premier League holders City who have a £40m buyback clause in place but cannot trigger that until the summer of 2024, according to a report from Football Insider.
It is said that City hold an edge over Chelsea who were keen on signing the promising midfield talent last year and have since added Argentine World Cup star Enzo Fernandez to their squad in the January window for a British transfer record fee.
Signing Lavia could mean that Graham Potter will have another quality midfielder to call upon despite the speculation that the Belgium international is also wanted by Manchester City and the league’s table toppers Arsenal.
Southampton, meanwhile, are expected to be forced into a sale of their in-demand youngster with the south coast outfit’s top-flight status hanging by a thread as they look likely to drop down to the Championship next season.
