Liverpool ‘prepare opening bid’ for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia

Liverpool are reportedly preparing an opening offer for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia – who has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

Saints value the Belgian defensive midfielder, 19, at around £50million.

Lavia came through the academy ranks at Anderlecht and Manchester City before signing for Southampton last summer.

He made 34 appearances in all competitions for the St Mary’s club during his first season but wasn’t able to save them from relegation out of the Premier League.

TalkSPORT now report that Liverpool are trying to steal a march on their rivals by making an opening bid for Lavia.

The 19-year-old Belgium international has caught the eye of several top Premier League clubs

They say Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields, who joined them from Southampton, recommended Lavia to incoming coach Mauricio Pochettino.

But the Blues are believed to be looking at other targets to strengthen their midfield.

Manchester City have a buy-back option on the Belgian but that doesn’t come into effect until next summer.

However, City did insert a clause in the deal entitling them to 20 per cent of any future sale, netting them £10m if someone matched Saints’ asking price.

Arsenal have also been linked with Lavia but they have prioritised the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham in that position.

Overhauling midfield was the priority for Jurgen Klopp this summer and so far they have brought in two attack-minded players.

Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentine World Cup winner, joined from Brighton for £35m, while on Sunday they confirmed the £60m arrival of Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.

Jurgen Klopp prioritised midfielder reinforcements ahead of the new season as Liverpool try to get back to challenging for silverware 

Liverpool have confirmed the £60m signing of Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai joins Alexis Mac Allister who signed from Brighton in a £35m deal last month

Lavia would offer them a different skillset, however. His goal in Southampton’s 2-1 win over Chelsea last season made him the first player born in 2004 to score in the Premier League.

He also received his first call-up to the Belgium squad in March, making his debut in their 3-2 win over Germany.

Liverpool have seen midfielders Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all leave the club this summer. Fabio Carvalho has joined Leipzig on loan.