Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is a big fan of Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, giving the clearest indication yet that he would like to see the Belgian return to the club.

The Citizens sold the midfielder for £14m, but they do have a buyback option that would allow them to bring the player back to the Etihad for £40m at the end of next season. When asked about Lavia, Guardiola replied:

“I am really impressed with what Romeo has done and is doing. We had, and we have, an incredible opinion about him. We thought to keep him, but maybe he would not (get) enough minutes like he has in Southampton.”

Lavia’s performances have also attracted the attention of scouts from other teams. Chelsea, Arsenal and even Manchester United have been mentioned as potential suitors for the teenager in recent months.

If one of those clubs does decide to make an offer for the 19-year-old this summer, City will have a decision to make. Southampton would probably demand a lot more than the £40m agreed in the buyback clause. With that in mind, the Premier League champions will have to determine whether it is worth paying a premium to bring him back to the club a year early.