Leeds United were in the running to sign teenager Romeo Lavia from Manchester City in the summer but instead, the talent joined Southampton – and now he has been included in GOAL’s prestigious NXGN list of 50 wonderkids.
Lavia, 19, had clocked up just two senior outings for Manchester City when Southampton decided to pay £10million to sign the Belgian star. The Mail claim Leeds also wanted the Belgium U21 man, but the Saints won the race.
Since his move to Southampton, Lavia has impressed. He has clocked up 24 senior outings for the Saints in a tricky season, and it would have been a whole lot more but for a hamstring injury, keeping him out for eight league games.
But he has since returned, starting 10 out of Southampton’s last 11 Premier League matches. His form has caught the eye of Arsenal and Manchester United, according to The Mail. Man City have a buyback clause worth £40m.
Now, Lavia has been included in GOAL’s list of NXGN talents – a list that comprises of the world’s best up-and-coming talent. A prestigious achievement and only another sign that Leeds have missed out on a serious talent.
Leeds were in running to sign Lavia, now included in GOAL’s NXGN list
Leeds’ interest in Lavia and his subsequent move to Southampton from Manchester City all came about in the same week that Leeds sold Kalvin Phillips to The Etihad. At the same time, Darko Gyabi swapped City for Elland Road.
Plenty going on. There is no doubting that Gyabi is a talent, playing a handful of games in the senior side this term. A regular in the 21’s and currently with England’s Under-19’s, Leeds do have a gem on their hands with Gyabi.
The youngster was signed from City in a separate deal to Phillips moving to the Premier League champions. Maybe, though, it would have been better to arrange such a deal to have signed Lavia instead of Gyabi. Who knows.
