Southampton Reach Full Agreement With Manchester City Over Romeo Lavia Transfer

Southampton have now reached a full agreement with Manchester City over the purchase of Romeo Lavia, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Premier League side have been in talks over the talented Belgian midfielder for a number of weeks.

Lavia has commanded widespread interested from across the English top-flight, with the likes of Leeds United and Brighton also having shown an interest in the player.

There had been a feeling in some quarters that Romeo Lavia could be used as a makeweight in a deal for Kalvin Phillips.

However, in the case of that particular deal, Manchester City were able to reach an agreement on an initial £42 million fee rising to £45 million through potential add-ons.

In a summer where Etihad officials have been keen on cashing in on a number of academy talents, another name looks set to leave the City Football Academy imminently.

According to the information of transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Southampton and Manchester City have now reached a full agreement on a deal for Romeo Lavia.

The transfer will be in the format of a permanent deal, with the transfer fee set in the region of £10 million.

Crucially for Manchester City and their supporters, it is confirmed that the Premier League champions have included a buy-back clause in the deal, with the player considered a 'top talent' at the Etihad Stadium.

Southampton have now reached full agreement with Man City to sign Romeo Lavia on a permanent deal. Fee will be around £10m, clubs in contact to finalise the deal. 🚨🇧🇪 #SaintsFC

Manchester City will include a buy back clause for Romeo Lavia, who’s considered a top talent. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/AAbByYjJAm

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2022

Romeo Lavia had joined Manchester City at just 16 years-old in the summer of 2020, moving from RSC Anderlecht in Belgium.

The Belgian midfielder was held in such a high regard by club officials that the Etihad Stadium was the club where he signed his first professional contract.

The now 18 year-old will become the second Manchester City player to complete a permanent move to Southampton this summer, following in the footsteps of Gavin Bazunu.

The highly-rated goalkeeping talent joined the club last month on a permanent deal worth in the region of £12 million and £15 million.

As in the case of Romeo Lavia, a significant buy-back clause was embedded into the deal for the shot-stopper, widely understood to be upwards of £35 million.

A number of other promising young talents to emerge from Manchester City could yet leave the club this summer.

That includes exciting young winger Samuel Edozie - who is understood to be closing in on a £10 million move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.