Liverpool close in on teenage wonderkid amid competition for Lavia transfer

31 July 2023 , 16:44

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Liverpool close in on teenage wonderkid amid competition for Lavia transfer

A teenage star looks set to head Anfield this summer - but it might not be the one that Liverpool fans are expecting.

Following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia, the Reds have been pursuing a deal for 19-year-old Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. But a £34 million bid, plus £4 million in add-ons, has already been rejected by the Championship club who are now bracing themselves for a higher offer from Merseyside.

Liverpool are set to make an improved bid that they are far from the only club in the race. Chelsea have also been linked with a move as Mauricio Pochettino continues this overhaul of his new squad.

But according to the Manchester United are also lining up a possible bid, whilst an overseas club has also made enquiries. The Red Devils however, will need to sell before making any further big money moves, given their FFP limitations.

Jurgen Klopp however, has another young player in his sights. Liverpool are close to signing 16-year-old Leicester City player Trey Nyoni, with the midfielder highly rated following a string of impressive performances at age group level.

Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected

Nyoni, who qualifies to play for both England and Zimbabwe, made 13 appearances in the Under 18 Premier League last season. He also played in the FA Youth Cup, but is yet to make his senior debut in professional football.

Trey Nyoni has impressed for Leicester at Under 18 level (Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp is looking for more midfield reinforcements (Philipp von Ditfurth/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

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Nyoni's arrival is unlikely to end Klopp's pursuit of Lavia, with the club having not planned for the exits of Henderson and Fabinho. Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita had already been released at the end of June when their contracts expired.

One deal that seemingly is out of the question though, is any kind of loan move for Kylian Mbappe. Hopes of Liverpool fans became frenzied amid reports that the club were exploring a short term deal for the star, with PSG keen to offload him this summer and avoid losing him for free in 12 months' time.

However, Klopp has now dismissed any talk of an offer, conceding the club cannot meet the financial demands of Mbappe's weekly wages and potential bonuses. And he implied that he new nothing about a proposed offer: "It’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me, but that hasn’t happened in the eight years that I’ve been here," he said. "That would be the first time.”

Fraser Watson