Erik ten Hag is eyeing a move for Southampton wonderkid Romeo Lavia as he searches for a potential replacement for Casemiro.
The Brazilian has enjoyed an impressive first season at Old Trafford following a big-money move from Real Madrid. He could yet end the campaign with a domestic cup double under his belt after 43 appearances across all competitions.
Despite still having three years left to run on his Red Devils, it appears that United boss Ten Hag is already looking for his successor. While Casemiro's impact has been praised, at 31, the former Real Madrid star's signing was not made with the long-term in mind.
According to The Independent, Ten Hag is a huge admirer of Southampton midfielder Lavia. The Dutchman is thought to be keeping an eye on the 19-year-old’s development and could become a long-term successor to Casemiro in the future should he continue his impressive progress.
Despite Southampton’s wretched season, the young Belgian has been a bright spot. After moving to St Mary’s from Manchester City last summer for a £10.5m fee, he has gone on to make 29 appearances, scoring one goal.
Pep Guardiola’s side included a 20 per cent sell-on clause and a buy-back clause in the deal that originally took him to Southampton so City would be in line for a considerable windfall should Lavia move to Old Trafford in the near future.
Amid talk over his future, a number of Red Devils icons have already expressed their thoughts on the midfielder. Speaking at the start of the season, Paul Scholes was full of praise for his early showings at Southampton.
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He said: “I was surprised when City let him go I think he is good enough potentially, he is only 18-years-old, maybe hold him back a bit. He has chosen to move on and I think he is a player with so much potential and he could potentially go back, but he has settled in so well.
“He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in-front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there.”
Elsewhere, former United defender Rio Ferdinand also hailed Lavia for his abilities after being left impressed with his early displays on the South Coast.
“The way he has started and immediately performed here kind of justifies the conviction that Southampton have had in going and getting him,” he said. “He is a young player who can do both sides of the game, equally good defensively but also once he is one the ball he has tremendous feet and can pass it.”
Lavia has four years left to run on his contract at Southampton but will likely be starting next season in the second tier after a wretched campaign for the Saints that sees them bottom of the table.
