Liverpool transfer target Romeo Lavia hasn’t started either of Southampton’s two games this season.
Southampton manager Russell Martin had suggested that the ball is in Liverpool’s court in their pursuit of Romeo Lavia. The 19-year-old midfielder hasn’t featured in either of Southampton’s opening two games this season amid three failed bids from Anfield.
The Saints rebuffed Liverpool’s third offer worth £45million on Monday, standing firm on their £50m valuation of Lavia.
But talks are ongoing, and the Belgium international is expected to eventually land on Merseyside, despite rival interest from Chelsea.
He joined Southampton in a £10.5m deal from Manchester City last summer and impressed in the Premier League, despite the club’s relegation to the Championship.
And expectations of his exit have intensified after he was left on the bench for Friday’s league win against Sheffield Wednesday and out of the squad for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at League Two Gillingham.
Martin has indirectly told Liverpool to produce an offer that Southampton deem acceptable if they want to hand Jurgen Klopp his third midfield signing of the summer.
“We have a big group, but only so many players that can help us,” Martin told BBC Radio Solent.
“There needs to be movement for sure. Jason [Wilcox] has been very honest about it, and he feels exactly the same way, and so do the ownership group.
“But also, there needs to be movement that suits us as a club. I don’t envisage anything changing between now and the weekend, but it’s football, right, so anything can happen.
“We’ll be prepared for everything and anything. The guys we left behind today isn’t out of lack of respect for the competition or anything like that.
“It’s about we need to see everyone out on the pitch at some point because we might need people.
“Some people we think might go might end up staying, and some people we think are gonna stay might end up going. It’s so fluid.”
Klopp has splashed most of his summer budget to refresh his midfield after James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho all left the club.
Liverpool have recruited Brighton and Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister in a £35m deal and RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai for £60m.
And Lavia would complete the revamp if the Reds decide to meet Southampton’s lofty asking price before the deadline.
He currently isn’t likely to land at Anfield before Liverpool start their campaign at Chelsea on Sunday.
