Romeo Lavia transfer to Chelsea latest as Liverpool ready new bid for a £50m star

The latest about 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 play in Stamford Bridge on 13 August, but who for?

The midfielder of Southampton is a wanted man after having made an impression in the Saints’ relegation of the Premier League last season. In just 19 years old, Lavia showed real maturity in his game in what an extremely difficult campaign was for Southampton. Such adulthood, in combination with brilliant defensive displays, means that he now expects that he will continue with St. Mary this summer.

Football.London understands that Chelsea Lavia watched on various occasions last season with the scouts of the club who did extensive research into the teenager. In early June, the Blues began initial talks with Southampton about the potential signing of Lavia, but nothing has happened since.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have already seen an initial bid rejected 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, have seen a £37m bid rejected by the Saints and are expected to return with even more money to bolster their options. midfield.

Both teams are in similar positions in midfield. Chelsea have already lost N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic and are looking for other midfielders before the end of the transfer window, with Moises Caicedo still high on the agenda. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson. Fabinho should also leave shortly. Jurgen Klopp has brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but the German coach wants more before the new season starts.

Liverpool are now favorites in signing Lavia, while Chelsea have focused more on lengthy negotiations with Brighton for Caicedo. The Saints midfielder wants to join the Reds and there is confidence that a deal will be finalized. It looks like Chelsea will miss Lavia, which makes it all the more important to find a way to sign Caicedo. At the moment Brighton are not bouncing back on the Ecuador international’s £100m valuation but talks are ongoing and they are trying to find a solution.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi recently said he would be happy if the midfielder stayed at the club. However, the Seagulls manager also said there will be a plan in place in case he leaves.

“My deadline is the ego – his attitude in the dressing room and on the pitch,” De Zerbi explained. “The other is not my problem.

“I’m happy if Moises stays and plays with us. We’ll still play without him. We have to be ready to find another midfielder when Caicedo leaves.”