The very latest on Chelsea’s interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia with rivals Liverpool now the front-runners to sign the 19-year-old Belgium international
Romeo Lavia could be playing at Stamford Bridge on August 13, but who for?
The Southampton midfielder is a wanted man after impressing in the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League last season. At just 19-years-old, Lavia showed a real maturity to his game in what was an extremely difficult campaign for Southampton. Such maturity, coupled with brilliant defensive displays, mean he is now very much expected to move on from St. Mary’s this summer
football.london understands Chelsea watched Lavia on numerous occasions last season with the club’s scouts doing extensive research on the teenager. At the beginning of June, the Blues opened initial talks with Southampton over the possible signing of Lavia but nothing has progressed since.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have already seen an opening offer turned down by Southampton for the Belgium international. The Reds, who take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next month to kick off their respective Premier League campaigns, saw a £37million bid rejected by the Saints and are very much expected to return with even more money as they look to bolster their midfield options.
Both clubs are in similar positions when it comes to the centre of their midfield. Chelsea have already lost N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic and are on the lookout to add more midfielders to their squad before the transfer window closes, with Moises Caicedo still very much on the agenda.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson. Fabinho, too, is expected to leave in the very near future. Jurgen Klopp has seen Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai come in but the German coach wants more before the new season begins.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All of the latest updates coming out of Stamford Bridge
Liverpool are now the front-runners to sign Lavia while Chelsea have been focusing more on the long drawn out negotiations with Brighton for Caicedo. The Saints midfielder wants to join the Reds and there is a confidence a deal will be complete.
It looks like Chelsea will miss out on Lavia, which makes it even more imperative they find a way to sign Caicedo. At the moment, Brighton are not budging on their £100m valuation of the Ecuador international but talks continue to try and find a solution.
