Romeo Lavia: Liverpool target becomes a transfer 'priority' for Arsenal

Romeo Lavia will become a 'priority' for Arsenal once Thomas Partey's anticipated move to Saudi Arabia is completed.

The Gunners, like Liverpool, are going through something of a midfield revamp this summer, having signed Declan Rice and Kai Havertz for over £160m combined, while Granit Xhaka has already departed for Bayer Leverkusen.

In addition, Mikel Arteta's side have been linked with a move for Reds target Lavia to bolster his engine-room options, with Partey also increasingly likely to leave.

Belgian newspaper DH now reports that the future of the 19-year-old Southampton star could hinge on Saudi Arabia, with both Arsenal and Liverpool waiting to see how deals involving Pro League clubs play out in the coming days.

While Partey has been linked with a big-money move to Al-Nassr, Liverpool are expecting to lose both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq respectively. However, neither club has submitted a formal bid as of yet, instead dragging out the transfers into full-on sagas.

DH report that no 'concrete offer' has yet been made for Lavia, with both the Reds and Gunners seemingly stuck waiting to conclude their sales first before making an approach.

It is predicted that Arsenal could then overtake Liverpool if they get their business done first, with Lavia called a 'priority' for Arteta.

As well as Arsenal and Liverpool, Lavia has admirers in Chelsea and Barcelona.

However, the Blues are reportedly prioritising a move for Brighton's Moises Caicedo, while Barça are likely to be priced out of the £50m-rated transfer by the Premier League interest, leaving Anfield and the Emirates as the most credible destinations.