Chelsea had turned down a £50m bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia just weeks after starlet’s £14m transfer from Man City

MANCHESTER CITY have been told they may make a decision to exercise their £40million buyback option for Romeo Lavia – just weeks after they sold him for £14million.

The champions allowed the Belgium midfield ace to join today’s opponents Southampton in early July after his nosedive for Kalvin Phillips was agreed.

1

However, he was well liked by Pep Guardiola and the Etihad staff.

So they secured an option to buy him back if bids from elsewhere were accepted.

Lavia got off to an excellent start at St Mary’s and attracted the attention of Chelsea.

And the Blues made a staggering £50m offer before the transfer deadline in August – £40m upfront plus £10m in add-ons.

City have been alerted they may have to exercise their option or risk losing him.

But Southampton turned down the offer as they were keen to count on the starlet this season.

Lavia is now injured and will miss the return to his former club today, but Guardiola said: “Romeo started amazingly at Southampton but unfortunately had the injury.

“Keeping him here was an option but there was a good offer from Southampton for him and his development.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON SOCCER

“However, we have an option for the future just in case.

“It’s a huge opportunity to play in the PL at this age. It’s massive.”

Lavia was one of four City starlets to join the Saints this summer – with Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie and Juan Larios also making the move.