SAINTS RAID CITY FOR £14M TEEN SENSATION LAVIA

■ SOUTHAMPTON have agreed to pay up to £14million for Manchester City prospect Romeo Lavia (right). The deal will include buy-back and sellon clauses for the 18-year-old midfielder. Southampton are also keen on City full back Issa Kabore. Another City defender, Japan centre back Ko Itakura has joined Borussia Monchengladbach for £4m.

■ CHELSEA’S patience is being tested as they await the outcome of talks between Leeds United and Barcelona over the transfer of Raphinha. Chelsea’s bid of £55m plus add-ons was accepted last week but Barca, the player’s preferred destination, countered with an offer of £51m to be paid in instalments of £17.2m. Raphinha has delayed his decision to see if Barca can improve their offer.

■ BARCELONA are close to agreement over a new contract for Chelsea target Ousmane Dembele. CHELSEA expect to agree a deal with AC Milan for winger Hakim Ziyech but Christian Pulisic is in no rush to leave after being discussed as a makeweight in the bid for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.

■ ARSENAL are ready to raise their £38m offer for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez. Manchester United offered £38m on Friday. The 24-year-old has told Ajax he wants to move to the Premier League.

■ LEEDS have opened talks over a £12m deal for Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Tyrell Adams. Everton had also shown an interest but Adams is expected to join Leeds who have been discussing an initial loan for the USA international. Leeds forward Tyler Roberts is drawing interest from QPR, Hull City, Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town. Right back Jamie Shackleton is a target for Reading while centre back Charlie Cresswell is wanted by Millwall on loan.

■ BRENTFORD are closing on a £14m deal for Bologna’s Aaron Hickey. The 20-year-old Scotland left back is expected in England this week to complete a medical and sign a five-year contract. Brentford are also advancing in their bid to sign Hull City forward Keane Lewis-Potter after making an offer worth up to £20m for the 21-year-old.

■ NOTTINGHAM FOREST want Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien as well as leftback Harry Toffolo. Forest have signed Troyes right back Giulian Biancone, 22, for £5m and remain in talks for £13m Mainz defender Moussa Niakhate.

■ EVERTON have confirmed the signing of James Tarkowski, 29, on a free transfer after his contract at Burnley expired.

■ JOHN EUSTACE has become Birmingham City’s new coach after Lee Bowyer was sacked.