Manchester United are reportedly looking to hijack Liverpool's pursuit for a certain midfielder as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his squad.
Southampton Romeo Lavia has been linked with a move to Anfield for the last few weeks, especially after the Reds lost the services of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita in the current transfer window.
Read: Ten Hag 'wants' Real Madrid star at Man Utd
Jurgen Klopp's side have reportedly already had a bid of £41million rejected by the Saints, who are said to be holding out for £50million for the 19-year-old midfielder.
The Independent have now reported that the Red Devils are exploring the option of signing the Belgian international to bolster their midfield options.
United have already signed Mason Mount, Andre Onana and are expected to unveil Danish striker Rasmus Højlund this week after agreeing a reported £72million deal with Serie A side Atalanta.
While Ten Hag wants to add another midfielder to his squad, the club reportedly need to sell players to raise funds if they hope to bring in new players. Fred and Donny van der Beek have been heavily linked with departures, while the club have already rejected a bid from West Ham United for former club captain Harry Maguire.
Meanwhile, Southampton manager Russell Martin could not confirm if Lavia and captain James Ward Prowse would still be at the club when the transfer window closes.
Do I think they [Lavia and Ward-Prowse] will be Southampton players by the end of the window? I have not got a clue. What I hope and what I think are probably very different.
"However, it would be pointless to come out and say I think they'll be here or I don't because ultimately I have no control over that really. If they're both not here at some point or one of them isn't it will be because the club and the player have both had something that is beneficial for everyone.
"I think that's why it has dragged on so long so far and I think it might continue to drag on, but both of them while they have been here have been great, at very different stages of their career."
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