Pep Guardiola makes admission on Manchester City’s £40M release clause teen amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been “really impressed” by Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, as the teenager continues to attract transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 19 year-old was one of four former Manchester City academy players to move to St Mary’s last summer, with Lavia completing an initial £10.5 million switch to Southampton alongside Gavin Bazunu, Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios.

Lavia made two first-team appearances for City last season, featuring against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup and Swindon Town in the Emirates FA Cup.

The defensive midfielder has enjoyed an incredible campaign in the Premier League, and as a result has been linked with a possible summer move to Chelsea or Arsenal.

Manchester United are also “admirers” of the Belgian teenager, with the Daily Mail reporting last month that Southampton face a “battle” to keep hold of the midfielder at the end of the season.

City inserted three notable clauses into the 19 year-olds Southampton contract, meaning the Blues could be set to earn a significant windfall, should Lavia leave St Mary’s and sign for a ‘top-six’ rival.

As well as containing a 20% sell-on clause, Lavia’s contract also holds a £40 million buy-back clause and the option for City to match any future bids for the midfielder.

Ahead of Manchester City’s visit to St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday, Pep Guardiola praised the Saints midfielder and admitted that City considered keeping hold of the teenager.

“[We’re] Really impressed with what Romeo [Lavia] is doing, we have an incredible opinion about him.

“We thought to keep him but we thought maybe he doesn’t get enough minutes like he’ll get in Southampton.”

Lavia has made 20 Premier League appearances so far this season and started Southampton’s shock 2-0 win over Manchester City in Carabao Cup quarter-finals in January.

The Saints are currently bottom of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety and winless in their last four Premier League matches.

City travel to St Mary’s looking to move within five points of league leaders Arsenal and off the back of an impressive 4-1 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.