By Jonty Banks

24th May, 2023 | 11:40am

West Ham United transfer news as Romeo Lavia on summer radar - ExWHUEmployee

Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia is on the radar of West Ham United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to ExWHUEmployee.

The 19-year-old has been a shining light on the South Coast in an otherwise drab season that has seen the Saints become the first club to be relegated to the Championship.

90min has previously reported (18 April) that Southampton are prepared to sell the Belgium international and want a fee in excess of the £40million buy-back clause that becomes active for Manchester City in 2024.

“It is understood that both James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia of now-relegated Southampton are on the club’s radar, with West Ham likely to be strengthening in midfield especially if Declan Rice leaves the club,” the report said.

Great option

If Rice left the club in the summer transfer window – which is looking more and more likely as the weeks pass – Lavia looks a perfect fit to step straight into the Hammers midfield.

The Saints midfielder has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young players in the Premier League this season, and it would come as no surprise to see Manchester City try to sign him back this summer.

Despite the £40million figure looking rather tall for a player who has just a season of Premier League football under his belt, this could be a snippet in the long run.

Also, if West Ham United managed to get a fee in the region of £100million for Rice’s services this summer, they will have plenty of cash to complete transfers of this nature.

With Tomas Soucek and Flynn Downes the club’s only other midfield alternatives right now, investment is certainly needed in the middle of the park.

They could do far worse than lining up a bid for Lavia.