Southampton, Saints, Ruben Selles, Romeo Lavia, Premier League
Manchester City could eventually opt to re-sign midfield gem Romeo Lavia by triggering his £40 million buy-back clause, hints BBC Radio pundit Alan Hutton.
The Lowdown: City sell future star…
Southampton came knocking with real intent in the summer transfer window, offering up a deal which could reach £14 million to sign the Belgium Under-21 international.
City agreed to their terms and sold Lavia despite his glowing reputation at Eastlands, but as is common place with sporting director Txiki Begiristain, a buy-back clause was inserted into the agreement.
The Premier League champions can apparently opt to re-sign the 18-year-old for around £40 million, and going by his start to life at St. Mary’s before a recent injury, that could well be one to watch out for in the next few seasons.
The Latest: Hutton makes Lavia transfer hint…
Speaking to Football Insider, the former Scotland international has hinted that City may activate his buy-back option if Lavia continues to shine on the south coast.
He explained, when asked if Pep Guardiola’s side will take up that option:
“They might that’s why they put it in there.
“They obviously see the potential they boy’s got. He obviously wasn’t ready for the City team at this moment in time but they see that he possibly could in the years to come and that’s why they entered that in there.
“They’ll just bide their time and see how he develops and if it’s right for City and the player then he’ll go back.“
The Verdict: Keep an eye…
The teenager has truly dazzled for his age since completing a top flight move to Southampton, being called a ‘special talent‘ by members of the press and ranking as one of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s top five best-performing players according to WhoScored.
He’s also averaged a higher pass accuracy (88.4%) than any Saints man with more than one start this season whilst also making their joint-highest rate of interceptions in the middle of the park (WhoScored).
Going by his performances so far, it’s hardly a surprise Guardiola apparently rates him ‘very highly’, so a reunion for Lavia in the next few seasons may well be possible.
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