Football
Romeo Lavia: Southampton manager discusses midfielder's future following Liverpool bid
Southampton manager Russell Martin has given an update on Romeo Lavia after the midfielder was the subject of a bid from Liverpool.
90min reported this week that the Reds had seen an opening offer of £35m plus add-ons for Lavia rejected by Southampton, with the offer said to be 'miles away' from the club's valuation of the young midfielder.
The 19-year-old has been linked with a myriad of top Premier League clubs all summer. Along with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have also been notably interested in the services of Lavia. Manchester City still hold a £40m buy-back clause which will become active next summer.
Despite the talk about his future, Lavia has been an active part of Southampton's pre-season plans, playing against Bournemouth in a friendly on Tuesday as the club get ready for a Championship campaign after suffering Premier League relegation in 2022/23.
READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
Speaking after that game to the press, new manager Martin discussed Lavia's situation and admitted the player has 'a lot in his head' due to transfer speculation.
"The transfer window should close before the start of the season - it's ridiculous in my opinion and certainly not helpful," Martin said.
"We're a club that has been relegated and has a lot of talent that people are attracted to, but we'll prepare as if they will be here because we have to. There's no guarantee that anyone will leave, it's a lot of work with 27 players or whatever but we'll give everyone a chance to get on the pitch.
"I thought Romeo, considering what's going on, to play tonight and do all that stuff, it was good for him to get on the pitch as he has not had the minutes other people have had.
"You can ask for an update, but I can't give you one because I don't know. I'm going to speak to Jason [Wilcox, director of Football] now but I've been preparing for this Game. I'll only ever be honest with you guys but I’m yet to find out.
"Romeo has a lot in his head."
Martin added: "[I am] pleased with his attitude, easiest thing to do would be to not play tonight. Not easy for a young player to handle the noise, but he's handled it well. Latest news is very public, he may still be here he may not."
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST
On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss the sensational developments around Kylian Mbappe and Saudi Arabia, Harry Kane's Tottenham future after intervention from the club's owners, Mohammed Kudus, Bernardo Silva, Conor Gallagher & more!
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
-
Football28m ago
Lamz.Unmissable Statistics from the Thrilling MU 3-2 Newcastle Showdown
-
Football2h ago
tl.Inter Miami Star and Argentina International Lionel Messi has confirmed this evening that his Argentina teammate with £80 million release clause has decided to Join Barcelona over Chelsea in shocking scene
-
Football2h ago
tl.“I always watch his games, for me he is the greatest of all time– Manchester City Summer target Jamal Musiala names his role model in football
-
Football3h ago
Watch: Daizen Maeda Add Celtic’s Second Goal Against Kilmarnock
-
Football3h ago
Watch: Adam Idah’s Early Opener Against Kilmarnock
-
Football4h ago
Alisson attracting Saudi transfer interest in worrying update
-
Football4h ago
Liverpool “hopeless under pressure” but now “unforgettable Anfield send-off awaits”
-
Football4h ago
How to watch Chivas vs. America: Liga MX live stream online, TV channel, prediction and odds