Manchester City agreed a £10.5m deal with Southampton for Romeo Lavia to make the switch to St Mary’s after two years in the North-West, but it says a lot about Pep Guardiola that he’d allow a highly-rated 18-year-old to leave rather than develop him in the squad.
City can land themselves another £3.5m in add-ons, will make a percentage of the transfer if he’s sold on from Southampton and have a £40m buyback clause, so the Premier League champions can bring Lavia back to the Etihad Stadium if realises his potential.
City have covered themselves against making a mistake, but they’re still relinquishing developing him. To pay £40m rather than giving Lavia first-team opportunities speaks volumes about which type of player Guardiola deems worth his time.
Cole Palmer could be following in Phil Foden’s footsteps after impressing at youth level, but he’s an attacker who can be used as an impact player. Lavia is a defensive-midfielder who would operate in a key role, so Guardiola didn’t appear to trust him over signing Kalvin Phillips to replace Fernandinho.
Many are expecting Lavia to become a top player in years to come, so there’s every chance City end up paying to re-sign him. So why isn’t a coach and former Barcelona midfielder like Guardiola keeping a promising youngster?
Lavia would have excellent mentors in Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Rodri, but the teenager has been robbed of the opportunity after just two years.
Dear me what bitterness. Lavia is a brilliant prospect and he will be ‘cuckoed’ at Southampton until if and when he is ready to play for City.
The transfer monies, the sell ons, add ons and buy backs of loaned players and EDS and under 18s has generated tremendous income. Really impressive income. Plus the 90 -110 million for Jesus and Sterling then Ake will generate monies for Crucella..
Pep is not letting any player down young or old. If a player is unhappy Pep has them moved on unlike other teams. United comes to mind immediately. There is probably not a top flight club in England City haven’t provided players for, or a coach, or a director of footy, or monies for a player.
Good luck to Lavia – he has been given a tremendous opportunity by Ralph and Pep. If he does well the boy may come back to City. And the gap of 25 to 30 million will not be an obstacle.
Well said
I’m soory but your opinion i a shity one. Lavia was not sent to any club but to one with a track record of developing top players, play open attractive football, and the style city adopt. There he will have more game time playing at top level against players he will be facing if he is brought back So the ideal choice.
I agree with all of the above. Poor journalism is rife!
Yup to what Val said
It’s the policy
It works
Suck it up, Crippy!