Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Romeo Lavia will be involved in their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening.
The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield with the Saints rejecting Liverpool’s improved bid to sign the young midfielder, standing firm on their £50m valuation.
The Merseysiders’ first offer worth £34m plus £4m in add-ons was also turned down by Martin’s outfit.
Lavia is also attracting interest from Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, however, he wants to join Jurgen Klopp’s side this summer.
“Do I think they will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different,” Martin told reporters regarding the latest update on Lavia.
“However, it would be pointless to come out and say I think they’ll be here or I don’t because ultimately I have no control over that really. If they’re both not here at some point or one of them isn’t it will be because the club and the player have both had something that is beneficial for everyone.
“I think that’s why it has dragged on so long so far and I think it might continue to drag on, but both of them while they have been here have been great, at very different stages of their career.”
He added: “The preparations have probably gone as well as we could have hoped, especially with all the noise surrounding the players and that stuff. They’ve coped with it really well and I’ve got so much respect and gratitude for what they’ve given us over the last few weeks – I’m really pleased with that.”
Lavia is Liverpool’s top priority and they are preparing a third offer for the young midfielder which will meet the Saints’ expectations in terms of the fee.
It is believed that if a comprise cannot be reached with Southampton in the coming days, the Merseysiders will be considering alternative options which include Fluminense’s Andre.
The Reds have made contact with the Brazilian club over the 22-year-old, who is valued at around £20m.
But Fluminense are unwilling to allow him to leave until the end of their season, making an arrival before January unlikely unless Liverpool pay more than his asking price as reported.
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