Southampton eye Bristol Rovers and Aston Villa star to replace £50m Liverpool linked midfielder

Southampton are interested in signing former Bristol Rovers loanee Lamare Bogarde, according to reports.

Football Transfers’ Chief football correspondent Jacque Talbot believes the Saints are looking at Bogarde. He has been touted to replace Romeo Lavia, who is subject of interest from Liverpool, though no deal has yet been struck.

It is mentioned in the report Southampton are interested pursuing a permanent deal, whilst Villa would prefer it to be a loan, as they have long-term plans for him. Before joining Bristol Rovers, it was reported that Norwich City and West Brom had been keeping tabs on Bogarde, and now he could be given an opportunity at Championship level.

Bogarde was on loan at the Gas last season after Aston Villa lent him to them for six months. The 19-year-old had a beneficial loan spell at the Memorial Stadium, and featured in every game that he was available for.

Bogarde, who played as a defensive midfielder for his spell, made 18 appearances, and registered one assist. His form for Rovers saw him earn a call-up to the Netherlands Under-20’s team. He was highly thought of by first-team manager Joey Barton, who waxed lyrical about his current ability and his potential.

"Yeah, class, isn’t he?" Barton said about “Bogarde.

“I’m lucky because my agent, about a week before the deadline, we were scrambling around and saying, ‘okay, midfielders, who do you know?’ and he fired him in.

“He isn’t Lamare’s agent but he came from the agency and he said, ‘he’s only a young boy but have a look at him, he can handle the ball.’

"Lamare, I just watched on the Wyscout clips, but you could see he was competent, could handle the ball and we needed a body in that area. I have to be honest with you, he’s better than what I predicted.

"I knew he was a good player, Aston Villa thought really highly of him and they said, ‘look, he’s a game player.”