Liverpool ‘pick priority’ between Romeo Lavia and Khephren Thuram transfer deals

Reports in Belgium suggest Liverpool are ‘focusing their energy’ on the signing of Romeo Lavia after landing Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig in a £60million deal. The Hungarian playmaker has joined former Brighton maestro Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s summer overhaul continues to take shape following the departures of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.

Yet it is now becoming increasingly clear that despite the capture of Szoboszlai, Liverpool are still angling for a third midfield recruit.

Nice’s Kephren Thuram remains of firm admiration but it seems Liverpool could now be prioritising the signing of Southampton’s teenage gem Lavia, who is not short of interest this summer.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri claims the Reds are now prioritising the signing of the 19-year-old with Chelsea and Arsenal also thought to be well and truly in the race for his signature.

Tavolieri tweeted: “Liverpool set to focus now their energies on Romeo Lavia’s deal. I understand talks on the player’s side are advancing well as the green light’s close but nothing done yet.

“The ideal projection #LFC would be to get him for the first summer camp with the team.

“The Reds – that already kept information on the price tag to #SouthamptonFC – will try to get a deal at £40M but starting soon with a first bid certainly lower than that.”

Chelsea are actively working on a deal for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and the Ecuadorian is understood to be Mauricio Pochettino’s top midfield target.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are interested in Lavia but are only likely to move for the Southampton man if they find a suitable buyer for Thomas Partey.

Partey has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia and Juventus but Arsenal are yet to receive any formal offers for the player.

Granit Xhaka is set to depart for Bayer Leverkusen in the coming weeks once Declan Rice’s club-record £105m transfer to Arsenal is confirmed.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also recently disclosed that Liverpool have upped the ante in their pursuit of Lavia.

He said via his YouTube channel: “Liverpool are now into the race and as I already mentioned, they are into this. They are working on Romeo Lavia and they are now having direct contacts on both player and club side.

“So, Liverpool and Arsenal are into the race and the two clubs are pushing. It’s crucial to say though for Liverpool that despite signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, there is still the desire to bring in new players.

“A defensive midfielder, like Lavia. So, Romeo Lavia is now a target for Liverpool. Southampton are demanding around £50m, which is why there’s been no bid yet.”

Thuram remains a player of interest and the Frenchman could be available for significantly less than £45m-rated Lavia although fresh reports on Tuesday suggest Liverpool have now ended their interest.

The 22-year-old’s future could be resolved in the coming weeks after France U21s were dumped out of the European Championships in Romania and Georgia on Sunday following a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine.