By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

3rd Jul, 2023 | 1:14pm

Sources: Liverpool accelerate Romeo Lavia talks, opening bid reveal

Liverpool are continuing talks with Southampton over a deal for Romeo Lavia and are now ready to submit a bid, sources have told Football Insider.

The Reds are willing to offer around £40million for the midfielder but the Saints are believed to be holding out for a figure closer to £50m.

Arsenal remain keen on the 19-year-old but are prioritising wrapping up deals for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.

Lavia’s current contract at St Mary’s runs until 2027 after he joined from Man City’s youth academy last summer.

The Reds face competition from the Gunners, Chelsea and City in the hunt for the midfielder’s signature.

Pep Guardiola’s side do have a £40m buy-back clause for Lavia that does not become active until 2024 and the Sky Blues are keen to bring him back to the Eithad before then.

But there is plenty of competition for his signature in the mean time and City are believed to have a 20 per cent sell-on clause if they don’t win the race for his signature.

Last month (11 June), Football Insider revealed that Klopp’s side do not want to be dragged into a bidding war with any other Premier League side for Lavia’s signature.

The Merseysiders were believed to need assurances that the Belgium international only wants to join the Anfield club in order to pursue a deal this summer.

Lavia made 34 appearances for the Saints in a season that saw them relegated from the Premier League, with 29 of them coming the top flight.

In other news, Liverpool are set to smash previous record after £200m FSG payout.