Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly preparing to battle Manchester United and Manchester City for the signature of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer.
The 19-year-old joined the Saints from Man City last summer, penning a five-year deal at St Mary's, and he has been in impressive form during the 2022-23 campaign.
Lavia has featured on 22 occasions in all competitions for Southampton, scoring once and contributing one assist, with 16 of those appearances coming in the Premier League.
A recent report claimed that Man United are keen on the teenager, with the Red Devils eyeing a move to bring him to Old Trafford this summer.
However, Man City are believed to have included a buy-back clause in Lavia's sale last summer, with the Citizens said to be exploring the possibility of re-signing him for around £40m.
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According to Football Insider, the two Manchester clubs will face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea, with the London duo joining the race for his signature.
The report claims that Lavia will be in 'huge demand' this summer, with Southampton bracing themselves for offers, especially if they are unable to stay in the Premier League.
The Saints are currently 19th in the Premier League table, one point behind 17th-placed Leeds United, while the strugglers have a game in hand on Everton, who are just above them in 18th.
Lavia was on the sidelines from the start of September until the end of October due to a hamstring injury, but he has been a regular for Southampton in recent months.
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Addressing his future earlier this month, Lavia told Sky Sports News: "I don't read it, because I just don't think about it. I just enjoy my football and focus on what we have to do as a club.
"Whatever is outside, it is not what I can control, so I don't pay attention to that.
"Football, with how it goes, it goes so fast. One moment you can be in the headlines and the next, you're not. So the only thing to do is just be neutral, don't think about it and get your head down and work."
Lavia spent eight years with Anderlecht between 2012 and 2020 before arriving at Man City, but he only featured on two occasions for the Citizens before departing last summer.
The midfielder has been capped at Under-21 level by Belgium but is yet to feature for the senior side.
Matt Law
