Can Liverpool Use Chelsea’s Troubles to Sign Lavia in January
During the regeneration summer of 2023, the former interim Sporting Director, Jörg Schmadtke, attempted to sign the then Southampton midfielder, Roméo Lavia, as he looked to secure the services of an elite prodigy that could revolutionize the reds holding midfield role. That was a deal that should have been straightforward, until the semi-retired executive became infatuated with the Brighton destroyer, Moisés Caicedo. That saga eventually led to a failed £115m pursuit and mass dissatisfaction from the fan base. The transfer indecision (by Jörg Schmadtke) and a lack of confidence in the former Manchester City player, Lavia, saw both Anfield targets land at Stanford Bridge in a rather embarrassing fashion. Inevitably, by failing to zero in and close the deal for the once capped Belgium international, Jürgen Klopp was instead presented the services of Wataru Endō, and Ryan Gravenberch, as a makeshift duo which currently represent the deep lying options for the new Liverpool Head Coach, Arne Slot. Though Tyler Morton is a talented young player, his role is unlikely to create a long Anfield career.
Potential for Redemption in the 2024/25 Season
A year later and following the biggest upheaval of both the coaching department and executives (since the era of the FSG ownership) at Anfield, the new Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards, could finally right a wrong that has lingered ever since. Richard Hughes has failed to attract Martín Zubimendi in the controversial summer transfer window; therefore, plans must surely be in place to secure that which is desired in January.
Could Liverpool Finally Land Roméo Lavia…?
Under the ridiculous stewardship of Todd Boehly, Chelsea have found themselves with over forty senior players on their books and in desperate need of shedding assets. Eventually the Stamford Bridge club will have to answer for multiple financial discrepancies incurred by some crazy spending and irregular bookkeeping, with opportunistic avenues opening for clubs with money to spend.
The West London club currently have two established starting midfielders, Moisés Caicedo, and Enzo Fernández, with the 20-year-old, Roméo Lavia, likely to be the backup option for the season. As a ball playing and cultured young asset, the former Anderlecht academy graduate could well offer the perfect demographic to the Liverpool analytics department. We now know that the new Anfield Head Coach, Arne Slot, is keen to have his destroyer more than able on the ball, therefore, a renewed interest could become apparent in the new year. Once upon a time, the reds were willing to spend £50m to acquire the services of the former Saints teenager, therefore, the moment to pounce more may not be out of the question.
The Crucial Months Ahead for Liverpool’s Sporting Director
There are many disgruntled members of the Liverpool fanbase that will be calling for the head of the new Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, which will surely make these next few months imperative in securing recruits for the second half of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Ryan Gravenberch has been entrusted with the starting berth that many assumed would be upgraded upon in the month of August. With the window for new additions now firmly closed, I would not bet against the ultra-talented Belgium international, Lavia, featuring prominently on a list of potential targets.
