Here's the article in full: Southampton are close to completing a deal to sign Manchester City teenager Romeo Lavia, The Athletic understands. The Athletic reported earlier this month that Southampton and Leeds United were both interested in the 18-year-old but it is understood Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have won the race to sign the midfielder. Manchester City were reluctant to let him depart, but view a potential deal as a way to offset any bid they may make for Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips. City will have the option to buy back Lavia. Lavia, who plays as a holding midfielder, is well regarded at the Etihad and some at the club believe he will one day be at the required level to play in their first team. The Belgian made his senior debut for Pep Guardiola’s side in last season’s Carabao Cup against Wycombe Wanderers and also featured in the FA Cup. Southampton have already signed goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu for £12 million from Manchester City, although that could rise to around £15 million if potential add-ons are met. Goalkeeper Mateusz Lis and defender Armel Bella-Kotchap have also sealed moves to St Mary's. Joe Shields, Manchester City's head of recruitment and talent management, is also expected to make the switch to Southampton as the south coast side's new head of recruitment. Talks to hire Shields are progressing well and he could join before the transfer window ends. He will replace Martyn Glover, who is joining Leicester City.
Really excited by this. If City believe he will one day get in their team he must be seriously talented. Another wonderkid for the next FM.
Lovely stuff. Another really exciting player joining the project. Now, let’s sign Kalajdzic and some 10s/wingers
Tino is an exception, not many 18 year olds hit the ground running like he did. I can see why some are concerned. Personally, I think our strategy of recruiting extremely young players is a risk, if they don't hit the ground running, we will be in real trouble. But i also think all transfers come with risk, players from abroad often take a while to settle in for example. I really hope these kids do follow Tino's footsteps as it would be brilliant to be known as a team of youth where stars of tomorrow want to play, and English Dortmund if you will. Potentially a very exciting season ahead.
I think the good thing about these buyback deals with Man City especially, is that there is sweetspot where the player develops to a really high level, but not quite high enough to be Man City levels.
There's obviously an element of risk to this strategy. But Lavia has been training and playing at the best academy and with the best coaches in the country. The fact that City rate him so highly is telling.
Wow, I didn't think they were letting him go permanently. We are going all-in on the FM strategy. If they're 21, they're too old to sign, dammit.
Dunno what everyone’s so scared of, the last youth experiment we did went really well. #BringBackJanPoortvliet
£10m on a 18yr old who has never played Premier League football. We must have money to burn otherwise this is going to come back and bite us on the arse.
From a City forum: Very disappointed about this, the lad is an obvious star in the making and could have been used from the bench in winning situations to see if he was ready for the step up
