Liverpool in talks with major Arsenal target in shock transfer swoop: report

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Liverpool and Arsenal are both looking at signing the same player now, as the Reds and Gunners go head-to-head

Liverpool and Arsenal managers Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta respectively before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on July 15, 2020 in London, England.
(Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are rivalling Arsenal for one of their targets this summer, as the Premier League giants compete in their respective rebuilds.

Both teams have already made headway in reshaping their midfields this summer, with Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister early on in the transfer window. Arsenal are set to announce Kai Havertz in the coming days, meanwhile, with the German looking likely to replace Granit Xhaka.

But with work still to do for both managers, it seems as though Jurgen Klopp is hoping to steal a march on a Gunners transfer target and potentially swoop first.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks on prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on May 28, 2023 in Southampton, England.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to rebuild his midfield (Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have enquired about Southampton midfielder, Romeo Lavia. 

"Arsenal have had some positive conversations on the club and the player side but there is still no official bid [as] they resolve other stuff such as [Jurrien] Timber, [Declan] Rice and many others," Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel, "But Liverpool have opened talks to sign Romeo Lavia."

Liverpool are believed to want another midfielder who can operate deep in the centre of the park, potentially as a replacement for Fabinho, but perhaps as a right-sided central midfielder who can replace Jordan Henderson in the longterm. Lavia fits the description as a player capable of grooming for this position.

Arsenal's interest in the teenager – who has a buy-back clause for Manchester City, coming into effect next summer – seems dependent on the future of Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian is also of interest to the Saudi Pro League but according to Romano, the player would rather stay in Europe with Juventus interested in him, too. 

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is challenged by Romeo Lavia of Southampton during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on November 12, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Romeo Lavia is a target for both Liverpool and Arsenal this summer (Image credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Romano adds that both Manchester United and Chelsea have enquired about the young Belgian.

Lavia is valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt. 

More Liverpool and Arsenal stories

Liverpool transfer news and Arsenal transfer news is ramping up ahead of two big summer rebuilds.

Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich has been linked, while James Ward-Prowse is said to be on the shortlist. Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga is a target and Khephren Thuram of Nice is said to be close to joining – but Manuel Ugarte is one star who reportedly won't be moving to Merseyside. 

Declan Rice is almost complete, according to reports. Ajax star Jurrien Tmber is on the shortlist, along with Romeo Lavia of Southampton. Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere has explained exclusively to FFT why Kai Havertz is necessary as a signing, too.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.