Southampton have rejected a £37million ($44.5m) offer for Romeo Lavia from Liverpool.
Lavia’s personal terms for a proposed move to Anfield will not be an issue.
The Athletic has previously reported that Southampton are seeking £50m for Lavia, who joined the south-coast club from Manchester City last summer.
The 19-year-old has been a target for Liverpool as they seek to strengthen their midfield department following the departures of Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo over the summer.
Liverpool are also set to lose captain Jordan Henderson, who has agreed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq. They had been prepared to see Fabinho depart for Al Ittihad too, but that move is in jeopardy.
GO DEEPER
Liverpool’s No 6 hunt: Lavia, Amrabat, Phillips, Luis and more analysed
Follow the summer transfer window with ** ** The Athletic …
The Merseyside club, meanwhile, have also been interested in Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips.
Liverpool have already moved to supplement their midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister signing from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai arriving from RB Leipzig.
Lavia made 29 appearances as Southampton were relegated last season, missing a chunk of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. He was also subject to a £50m deadline day approach from Chelsea last September, despite only having joined Southampton a few months earlier.
GO DEEPER
When Romeo met Pep: The story of Lavia, Guardiola and a trip to Belgium
How good is Romeo Lavia?
By Jacob Tanswell
Lavia has a supreme ability to pass, receive and move with the ball in a way most cannot. Every action is flowing and well-oiled, every pass has a short backlift yet is crisp and precise. Every touch has a purpose and sets up the next.
Whatever situation, stadium or opponent he faces, he is never ruffled.
He was regarded as Southampton’s only transformative player in possession last season, adept in breaking lines and regulating the overall tempo of a game. Lavia’s composure in the most frenzied part of the pitch in the most dysfunctional side in the league was remarkable.
GO DEEPER
Romeo Lavia is Southampton’s utopia – a youthful buy to sell for big profit. He has excelled
(Photo: Michael Steele via Getty Images)
Get all-access to exclusive stories.
Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.
