Romeo Lavia: Liverpool prepare opening bid after agreeing personal terms

Liverpool are preparing to submit a first official bid for Romeo Lavia after opening talks with Southampton.

The big talking point at Liverpool this summer has been their midfield rebuild, following a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.

James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all left on free transfers at the start of the transfer window, while Arthur Melo's loan expired.

Though Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been signed for a combined £95m, both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho will depart for the Saudi Pro League in the coming days — leaving the Reds with a balance sheet of two midfielders in, six out.

It is widely expected that Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy are targeting at least one more midfield arrival, as the current first-team squad lacks options in the 'number six' role.

A number of options have been linked in recent days, including Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Leon Goretzka and Ryan Gravenberch (both Bayern Munich), but the frontrunner seems to be 19-year-old Lavia.

Previous reporting claimed the Reds were waiting on the sales of Henderson and Fabinho before moving on their next targets. However, with both deals now imminent, it appears that Liverpool could be ready to start the wheels in motion.

READ MORE: Romeo Lavia — What would Southampton's transition killer bring to Liverpool? 

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted that "concrete negotiations" between Liverpool and Southampton are ongoing, while Lavia has already given the Reds the "green light".

Meanwhile, Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri tweeted that Lavia has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool and that the Reds' board has finally acted, with the first official offer to follow.

Tavolieri claims that Liverpool's opening bid to Southampton will be around £35m.

Southampton are widely reported to value Lavia at £50m, and are determined to hold out a high figure for their young star. This is in part due to interest from other clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea, as well the 20% sell-on clause that would be owed to Lavia's former club Manchester City in the event of a sale.

One recent report claimed that Liverpool are 'hopeful' of getting a deal for Lavia completed by the end of July.