Man Utd and Liverpool set to be beaten by Man City in Romeo Lavia transfer as 16-year-old rejects Anderlecht deal
MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are reportedly set to be beaten by Manchester City in the race for Belgian youngster Romeo Lavia as he rejects a new deal with Anderlecht.
The highly rated 16-year-old announced his departure from Lotto Park via Instagram on Thursday.
The defensive-midfielder is one of the hottest young properties in Europe following eight scintillating years filtering through the youth ranks of the Belgian outfit.
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Anderlecht were said to be desperate to keep the hotshot in their clutches and were planning to give the defender a chance to spread his wings in Franky Vercauteren’s first team but he refused to sign new terms.
Lavia’s next destination is unclear however City seem to be in pole position to land the whizkid amid interest from Liverpool and neighbours United, according to Voetbalkrant.
The youngster may be swayed to the Etihad as he is thought to be a big fan of Pep Guardiola’s side.
On his departure from Anderlecht the teenager took to Instagram to write: “It’s with great emotion that I announce the end of my adventure at Anderlecht.
“I would like to thank all the wonderful people, staff, supporters and teammates, that I have known daily, whether they are close or far and who have always believed in me because you made me a better boy, both in football and humanely.
“This club and its colours will keep a huge place in my heart!
“But now is the time for me after eight wonderful seasons to turn this page and write a new one full of surprises!”
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City’s interest will come as a blow to Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who is constantly on the look out to add to his exciting crop of youngsters.
United have already fielded their youngest-ever Premier League line-up this season, and Solskjaer has since thrown Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes into the deep end.
Scott McTominay, 23, returned from injury in the final weeks before play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, even netting his side’s final Premier League goal with a long-range effort against rivals City.