Southampton manager goes back on his word in Romeo Lavia transfer boost for Liverpool
Southampton boss Russell Martin has hinted that Liverpool target Romeo Lavia is unlikely to be at the club beyond this summer’s transfer deadline amid interest from the Reds
Southampton manager Russell Martin appeared to concede that Romeo Lavia is increasingly likely to leave the club amid transfer interest Liverpool.
The talented 19-year-old midfielder earned rave reviews on the south coast last season following his switch from Manchester City and quickly established himself as one of their most talented players. The vultures have been circling, though, after Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed back in May.
Liverpool have already seen two bids for the playmaker rebuffed by the Saints, who value the teenager at £50m. And although Martin was in a defiant mood when he was asked about Lavia’s future a couple of weeks ago, he was far less bullish on the eve of Southampton’s opening game of the season.
Speaking last month after news of Liverpool’s first bid had emerged, Martin said of Lavia: “Pleased with his attitude, easiest thing to do would be to not play tonight. Not easy for a young player to handle the noise, but he’s handled it well. Latest news is very public, he may still be here he may not.”
But the new Saints boss seemed far less defiant during his pre-match press conference ahead of Southampton’s Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night. Speaking of Lavia and James Ward-Prowse, who has also been linked with a move away, Martin said: “Both will be involved as it stands, I don’t know if anything will change between now and then.
“Do I think they will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different.”
Coincidentally, Lavia was named on the bench just 24 hours after Martin’s comments as Southampton travelled down to Hillsborough. Ward-Prowse, who has been the subject of bids from West Ham, did start the match.
Jurgen Klopp is in need of further midfield reinforcements before the new Premier League campaign kicks off next weekend after losing captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in recent weeks. The duo, who were expected to remain first-choice this term, were lured to the Middle East courtesy of lucrative offers from Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively.
The Reds have already splashed out on deals for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but a third midfielder is firmly on Klopp’s agenda. It remains to be seen though if Liverpool will return with a third proposal for Lavia after their latest offer, worth around £41m in total, was rejected by Southampton earlier this week.
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Tino Livramento to Newcastle ‘close’ as Southampton boss Russell Martin confirms medical ahead of £40million move
Russell Martin has confirmed that Tino Livramento’s departure from Southampton to Newcastle is close to completion.
The 20-year-old was not named in the Saints’ squad for their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
He is set for a return to the Premier League after Newcastle agreed a £40million deal that includes add-ons.
Livramento played just twice in the 2023/23 campaign after he recovered from an ACL injury that he suffered in April last year.
The right-back’s former club Chelsea, who he left for Southampton in 2021, are also set for 50 per cent of the fee.
Newcastle are now close to signing their new man as Martin confirmed that he is due to have a medical with the Magpies.
Speaking to Sky Sports before their clash against Wednesday, he said: “Tino was never going to be in the squad.
“So, he trained yesterday morning with the group that aren’t involved and aren’t here tonight, a few of the injuries, because of what’s been going on and how close the deal was.
“So it hasn’t changed plans too much because from yesterday morning really we kind of envisaged it would be close. He trained really well yesterday and then yesterday afternoon obviously the clubs agreed a deal.
“Obviously Tino will have a medical there and all that stuff and I wish him nothing but the best, I’ve only worked with him for five weeks, I wish we had a bit longer.
“But he’s a brilliant young man and an outstanding, really, really top talent so everyone here wishes him all the best and hopefully it all goes smoothly.”
James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia are two other Southampton stars who could be set to leave this summer.
The former was named as captain in their starting XI against Wednesday, with the latter starting on the bench.
West Ham have had a £30million bid rejected for Ward-Prowse, with Liverpool seeing a second offer for £50million-rated Lavia turned down.
