This summer, might Southampton’s talent join Mason Mount at Old Trafford?

Mason Mount may not be Manchester United’s lone midfield arrival this summer, as the Red Devils are allegedly interested in signing Southampton star Romeo Lavia.

What’s new with Lavia moving to Manchester United?

Despite the recent £60 million acquisition of Mount, according to 90min, the Old Trafford team still appears eager to bolster in the center of the field, with youthful Lavia reportedly one of Erik ten Hag’s possibilities.

While the article claims that the former Ajax manager still views the acquisition of a new striker and goalkeeper as a “priority” in the offseason, a move for a player like the £50 million-plus Belgian teenager might also be taken into consideration.

This comes on the heels of a similar report from the Manchester Evening News that claimed Ten Hag is debating whether to bring in a second midfielder, with the 19-year-old maestro rumored to be’monitored’ at the moment.

Romeo Lavia is who?

The former Manchester City youth star, who moved to St. Mary’s on a £14 million deal last summer, was perhaps one of the season’s biggest surprises despite his team’s eventual relegation, having been predicted by international teammate Kevin De Bruyne to become a “top player” in the future.

According to talent scout Jacek Kulig, Lavia is also seen as a future “leader” for his nation and a top Premier League club. Lavia has already made an impact during his early senior career, and last season, he received commendations from United legend Paul Scholes.

He likes to defend, is large and strong, and has a pass in his locker. In order to avoid moving too far forward, he sits in front of the back four and initiates the action from there.

Ten Hag is thought to see the youngster as a potential successor to the seasoned Brazilian Casemiro in that defensive midfield position at the Theatre of Dreams, as additional midfield depth is also required given the uncertainty surrounding the futures of both Fred and Scott McTominay. This is in line with previous suggestions.

However, United’s own teenage wonderkid, Kobbie Mainoo, may suffer as a result of being able to sign such a highly rated wonderkid. The 18-year-old Englishman may find it difficult to get game time as a result of Lavia’s prospective arrival.

The “exceptional” talent, as defined by MEN journalist Steven Railston, had a few opportunities to play in Ten Hag’s senior lineup last season, and it is anticipated that he will eventually gain a permanent promotion to the first-team ranks.

When Lavia is added, Mainoo, a midfielder by trade who played deeper in front of the back four during the club’s successful FA Youth Cup run in the 2021/22 season, may find that his path is blocked because it is likely that the United manager will give more playing time to a marquee £50 million signing than to a promising academy talent.

Of course, there’s a chance the Stockport native will play in a more advanced midfield position, but the added competition the Southampton star’s signing would bring might be negative for his development.