If Liverpool are to complete the transfer of Romeo Lavia it will not be with ease, as the Reds have been warned Arsenal are now ready to turn their attentions to Southampton prodigy.

The Southampton man has been heavily touted with a major Premier League transfer following on from an impressive breakout campaign. His capability to control play under pressure and dribble forwards offers an exciting prospect to any side, and that's without mentioning his so-called peak years are still far down the line.

Liverpool have been the ones most heavily linked in recent weeks, although the emergence of negotiations for Fabinho's exit to Al Ittihad has somewhat dampened things as the midfield rebuild strategy is re-drawn.

Meanwhile the Gunners have always been mentioned, albeit in a reduced capacity over recent weeks. This is because their resources have been spent finalising Declan Rice's transfer for a British record £105 million fee, but now that is done and dusted it has been suggested they won't wait around long to make approach for Lavia.

Football Insider revealed that their sources have reason to suspect Mikel Arteta is preparing a new move for the Belgian. This comes as Thomas Partey also finalises an exit to the Saudi Pro League.

Whilst Jurgen Klopp had been in the box seat to acquire Lavia it had been reported he would be on the market for a £45 million asking price.

With no rivals in sight, the start of the month would have been the ideal time to wrap this saga up, but now that fee could rise if the old top-flight rivals enter a bidding war.

£45 million would increase Arsenal's summer spend to at least £250 million, having also acquired Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber this window.

And despite this, Arteta remained coy about the possibility of more incomings when quizzed by Sky Sports' Melissa Reddy.

"Let's see, it's a lot of time still in the market and a lot of expectations are in some of our players as well," he said on Monday. "We will have to see how things develop in the next couple of weeks.

"We will be alert, there is still time to do things, there is still time as well for exits obviously so I'm sure things will move."

[liverpoolecho]