Chelsea are reportedly considering a late swoop for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia as Liverpool prepare to submit an improved offer for the 19-year-old Belgian. The Blues are huge admirers of the teenage sensation and launched a verbal bid of their own worth £50million last August that was immediately rejected by the Saints.
But now they could return to the table in unwelcome news for Jurgen Klopp as the Reds boss also prepares to wave goodbye to Fabinho following Jordan Henderson’s £12m transfer to Al Ettifaq.
Chelsea’s recruitment chief Joe Shields knows Lavia all too well after bringing the player to Southampton and it’s clear the Belgium international is highly-rated amongst the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.
And with talks failing to progress with Brighton for Moises Caicedo, it appears Chelsea could flip the script and pursue Lavia instead.
According to The Times, Chelsea are now considering a swoop for the former Manchester City academy starlet as Mauricio Pochettino desires immediate midfield reinforcements.
Lavia is a Premier League-proven player with world-class potential having flourished with Southampton last season and he would cost half the £100m valuation currently being quoted by Brighton for Caicedo.
Liverpool are ready to up their bid though to £42.5m including add-ons and they hope to close the deal as quickly as possible following their rejected bid earlier this week.
The Reds have swiftly made Lavia their top target following positive talks with both the player’s reps and Southampton and it’s thought their next offer will be close to matching Southampton’s demands.
The Saints would ideally like a £50m package but it’s understood they are likely to consider offers close to £45m with the midfielder now keen to pursue a transfer.
Lavia was hooked at half-time on Tuesday in Southampton’s 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat to Bournemouth at St Mary’s.
Speaking after the game, Russell Martin admitted the youngster has “a lot in his head” after Liverpool made their move for his signature.
“The transfer window should close before the start of the season – it’s ridiculous in my opinion and certainly not helpful,” Martin said.
“We’re a club that has been relegated and has a lot of talent that people are attracted to, but we’ll prepare as if they will be here because we have to. There’s no guarantee that anyone will leave, it’s a lot of work with 27 players or whatever but we’ll give everyone a chance to get on the pitch.
“I thought Romeo, considering what’s going on, to play tonight and do all that stuff, it was good for him to get on the pitch as he has not had the minutes other people have had.
“You can ask for an update, but I can’t give you one because I don’t know. I’m going to speak to Jason [Wilcox, director of football] now but I’ve been preparing for this game. I’ll only ever be honest with you guys but I’m yet to find out. Romeo has a lot in his head.”
Chelsea could yet sell Conor Gallagher this summer despite the England international midfielder’s desire to fight for his place at the club.
West Ham have already seen a bid in the region of £40m rejected and Tottenham are also monitoring his situation closely.
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