Arsenal 'leading Chelsea, Liverpool in Romeo Lavia race'

The 19-year-old was a shining light in a troubled season for the Saints during the 2022-23 campaign, but he was unable to prevent the South Coast outfit's relegation from the Premier League.

Upon his arrival from Manchester City, Lavia immediately established a regular starting role alongside James Ward-Prowse and ended the year with one goal and one assist from 35 games in all tournaments.

Despite Southampton's bottom-placed finish in the top flight, Lavia earned plenty of plaudits for his performances in the middle of the park, and he is widely expected to seek pastures new again this summer.

The Belgium international is contracted to Southampton for another four years, but the Saints are fighting an uphill battle to keep hold of him following their demotion to the Championship.

Liverpool and Chelsea are both said to have taken a liking to Lavia, while Manchester United have also been keeping a watchful eye on his development throughout the season.

However, The Guardian claims that there is a "growing belief" that the 2004-born lynchpin will be an Arsenal player next season as the Gunners aim to bolster their midfield in the summer window.

The report adds that Southampton value Lavia at £45m, but Arsenal - who could shell out a nine-figure sum on West Ham United's Declan Rice - will try to drive the price down.

Man City are understood to have inserted a £40m buyback clause into Lavia's deal when he signed for Southampton, but the treble winners cannot activate it until the summer of 2024.

While the Premier League champions are also seeking midfield additions this summer, they are not expected to wait for the buyback clause to kick in and will likely pursue other targets in the meantime.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will supposedly be given as much as £200m to improve the squad after their unexpected Premier League title challenge, but more than half of their warchest could be used to prise Rice away from West Ham.

The Gunners have reportedly failed with an opening bid of £80m plus £10m in add-ons for the England international, as West Ham are adamant that he will not be sold for anything less than £100m.

Arsenal will likely make an improved bid for Rice, who has apparently identified the Emirates as his preferred destination for a summer move, so personal terms will not be an issue.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey formed an effective partnership in the engine room last season, but the former is believed to be on the verge of a £13m move to Bayer Leverkusen, which will go through once the Gunners have signed a replacement.

Partey is also rumoured to be attracting interest from Serie A clubs, while Albert Sambi Lokonga has failed to impress since joining from Anderlecht in 2021 and could also be allowed to leave amid links with Burnley.