Romeo Lavia has been left out of the Southampton matchday squad for their clash with Norwich City amid ongoing speculation about his future.

Liverpool have seen three bids rejected for the teenager, with the latest totalling £46m being knocked back on Monday. Meanwhile, Chelsea are

reportedly working on a deal to sign the midfielder for £52m and £3m in add-ons.

The Belgian is yet to play for the Saints so far this season amid interest from the Reds and the Londoners. An unused substitute on the opening day of

the season against Sheffield Wednesday, he was also absent from the Southampton squad that was knocked out of the League Cup by Gillingham in

midweek.

Saints boss Russell Martin had conceded in his pre-match press conference that he couldn’t confirm whether he would include the 19-year-old in his

squad to face the Canaries when addressing Lavia’s future.

“It’s not easy but he trained really well today. He’s not had enough minutes in pre-season,” he told reporters. “I don’t think I’d ask him to start a game

after the minutes he has had and everything that is going on. In these situations, you think back to yourself as a 19 year old.

“How would you cope with that? He’s been great, some days much better than others but there has been so much noise and he is a really top lad and

really top player.

“The Romeo situation has been really fluid throughout and other things may happen in the market that influence the situation, we have no control

over that.

“Romeo is getting fitter and fitter and trained really well, whether he will be in the squad or not I just don’t know and I can’t give you an answer.”

With Chelsea also trying to beat Liverpool to the signing of Moises Caicedo, the future of both players remains uncertain. The Reds have had a club-

record £110m bid accepted by Brighton & Hove Albion, though the player is reportedly said to favour a move to Stamford Bridge.

Yet despite that preference, an improved offer from Chelsea has not yet been forthcoming, with them instead progressing on a move for Lavia

following Liverpool’s own accepted offer for Caicedo.

Caicedo was also absent from the Brighton squad that faced Luton Town on Saturday, though that was hardly a surprise. The Ecuador international

reportedly cleared out his locker at the club’s training ground at the start of the week, having not featured in their final pre-season friendly, and has

been absent from training all week in anticipation of a possible transfer.

When asked about the player’s future, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi took aim at both Caicedo and Chelsea when admitting the Ecuadorian is

in the club’s past.

“I have already forgotten about Moises,” the Italian told reporters ahead of the start of the new Premier League season. “I’m really proud of the

players we have in the squad.

“We have to complete the squad. We want to improve the squad because we lost Mac Allister, Colwill, maybe we lose Caicedo, but we have to be

ready.