Manchester United have joined Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuing former Manchester City player Romeo Lavia, according to reports in the English media.
The Belgian was sold to Southampton for £12m last summer but the Citizens still have a £40m buyback option on the player which can be triggered at the end of the season.
Supporters on Twitter believe Pep Guardiola’s side should re-sign Lavia when the transfer window reopens:
Sell Phillips and bring him back
— Kingroronoa 🇩🇿 #TxikiOut (@Kingroronoa1) March 2, 2023
Just buy him back don’t think Yorkshire pudding is making it here unfortunately
— Adam (@mcfcadam10) March 2, 2023
3 top teams want him. And we’re just going to let him go to our rivals when he’s our player.
— Mohammed Al-Thani (@mbaalthani8) March 2, 2023
No bring him back don’t strengthen the opposition
— fennecs (@Billal_Ait) March 2, 2023
Just buy him back, he is better than phillips
— Blondie (@ClaireMulcahy17) March 2, 2023
I just knew this would happen, I said it a few days ago that it looks like Lavia is doing way better than Philips.
— Ōmó Bàlógúñ (@F_balogunvictor) March 2, 2023
Get the feeling that this could be the one that got away, could be kicking ourselves in a couple of years.
— Ronan (@ronanpatlee) March 2, 2023
Considering the lack of game time that Kalvin Phillips has been afforded since his move from Leeds last year, there is a good chance that the England international will leave the Etihad, despite having spent less than twelve months at the club.
Lavia would seemingly be the perfect replacement. The teenager has excelled during his first season with Southampton and the fact that City have a buyback option in place means that no negotiations will be needed to bring him back to Manchester.