Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are eyeing up midfield sensation Romeo Lavia forward of a possible summer time transfer.
What is the newest on Arsenal’s switch targets?
Mikel Arteta is clearly in scorching pursuit of a central midfielder this summer time, with reviews that Declan Rice is the membership’s high goal, and this follows a January window the place massive bids had been made for Moises Caicedo.
The league leaders are actually additionally maintaining a tally of 19-year-old Lavia, who has impressed for Southampton in his 24 appearances this season.
A younger choice who can rotate with Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Granit Xhaka is seemingly on the wishlist, and Lavia has earned plaudits from his friends, with ex-teammate Kevin de Bruyne beforehand describing the Belgian as “excellent”.
Talking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that while Arsenal are maintaining a tally of the £25k-per-week star, there’s nothing concrete by way of a transfer simply but.
He mentioned: “Arsenal are maintaining a tally of the participant.
“Arsenal are following Romeo Lavia, however in the mean time, [there is] nonetheless nothing superior. Arsenal have many choices.”
Why do Arsenal need a midfielder?
Three of Arsenal’s principal central midfielders in Xhaka, Partey and Jorginho are all aged 29 or older, and Partey’s health file is especially inconsistent.
Arsenal are sometimes reliant on Partey on the base of the Arsenal midfield, with Xhaka and Martin Odegaard pushing ahead. While Jorginho has stepped in to nice impact at instances since his January arrival – together with a efficiency towards Aston Villa the place he helped create the successful aim – a longer-term rotation choice could possibly be of nice use.
This might clarify the curiosity in youthful skills reminiscent of Rice and Caicedo, and Lavia could also be considered instead choice to the pair.
Nonetheless, it stays unclear if Lavia can step into Partey’s sneakers, whilst a rotational choice. Partey ranks within the high 5% of midfielders in Europe’s high competitions over the previous 12 months for progressive passes, with the Ghanaian serving to Arsenal construct assaults from deep, whereas Lavia ranks within the backside 29% on this regard, as per FBref.
Though he’s nonetheless younger, the expertise Partey and Jorginho carry to the staff could also be missing in somebody as uncooked as Lavia. With simply 26 senior appearances to his title in his profession, it could be a tricky activity for him to step right into a midfield which might doubtlessly compete for the league title once more subsequent season.
Declan Rice, in distinction, is West Ham’s captain, and has expertise domestically, in Europe and on the worldwide stage. Arsenal might have extra confidence within the Englishman’s capacity to step in and carry out when wanted given the huge distinction in pedigree between him and Lavia.
