Arsenal target Southampton’s Roméo Lavia for midfield rebuild with Rice

Arsenal are targeting the Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia after deciding to leave the path clear for Chelsea to push ahead with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moisés Caicedo.

Mikel Arteta wants to sign two midfielders and his first priority is a deal for the West Ham captain, Declan Rice. West Ham are holding out for at least £100m, having rejected Arsenal’s opening offer of £80m plus add-ons, and that transfer would take a hefty chunk out of Arteta’s budget.

Arsenal will need to make the 24-year-old their record signing and doing so is expected to stop them from entering the running for Caicedo. Brighton rejected Arsenal’s £70m bid for Caicedo in January and want close to £100m. Chelsea had an inquiry rebuffed in January and are leading the race but talks with Brighton are moving slowly.

Brighton’s high valuation could lead Chelsea to look at alternative targets. They plan to rival Barcelona and Liverpool for the Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, whose contract contains a £34m release clause. Sources have indicated that Chelsea could make an offer for the 21-year-old Spaniard soon. Chelsea are also pushing for a striker and are making progress in pursuit of Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson. It is understood they could bid for the 21-year-old Senegal striker next week.

Arteta has switched focus to other targets and talks have been held over moving for Lavia. The 19-year-old is likely to leave Southampton after their relegation and is valued at £45m. Chelsea have registered an interest in the Belgian, who has also been watched by Manchester United and Liverpool, but there is growing belief he will end up at Arsenal. It remains to be seen whether Southampton will hold firm on their asking price, with Arsenal likely to