‘No brainer’, ‘Would be an amazing signing!’ – Man City fans react as club in pole position to re-sign £40m star to replace Gundogan

Manchester City are reportedly considering re-signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia in the summer transfer window to replace Ilkay Gundogan.

Lavia was sold to St Mary’s from the Etihad before the start of this current season for a reported fee of £14m, with the youngster looking to develop with regular gametime away from the Citizens.

The 19-year-old Belgian has featured 16 times in the Premier League for Southampton so far this campaign, contributing one goal and being a regular fixture in a side that are looking to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Lavia is wanted by a host of Premier League clubs, who could pounce to seal a deal if Southampton are relegated from the top flight this season.

According to Football Insider, Manchester City hold the advantage in securing the player’s services for next season if the Saints are relegated, with Pep Guardiola’s side open to exploring Lavia’s City return if Ilkay Gundogan departs in the summer.

The report also suggests that the Citizens have a buy-back clause in the deal that sent Lavia to the South Coast in July, and that the current Premier League champions could trigger that stipulation for £40m.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@AkshatMCFC_47: “Gundo leaving would be devastating But need Lavia back home”

@Alex8Mcfc: “No brainer”

@1ACE97: “This would be an amazing signing!”

@Gamer19Jaden: “Please pep, bring him back home”

@ASaboune: “Would love for this to happen.”

@OGDzeko: “if we don’t use that buyback and he goes to another PL club, we will be making a massive mistake.”

@JerseyCityzen: “Lavia looks more like a Ferna clone than anything else imo”

@WireduOmil: “The lad is really good. Hope he doesn’t end up like Angelino”

@mcfcIeo_: “Why do you guys want Lavia so much? He’s been ok at bottom of the table Southampton. I’d have loved for us to keep him and give him a go but for £40M it’s literally the definition of grass is always greener. There’s way better players in a similar price bracket we could get”