"They are pursuing the player" - Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea will look to sign 19-year-old PL star this summer
Chelsea are interested in signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and are huge admirers of the Belgian international, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Fabrizio Romano: "Romeo Lavia is a player Chelsea love. Chelsea have Joe Shields at the club, who is the director who signed Romeo Lavia for City's Academy and then signed at Southampton. They are pursuing the player but it's not the only option."
The 19-year-old midfielder is a product of Belgian outfit R.S.C Anderlecht's academy. He moved to England in 2020 after joining Manchester City's youth setup.
Lavia was then signed by the Saints last summer for £14 million. He has registered 27 Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal. With Southampton set to be relegated, the Belgian could secure a move to a top-level outfit. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are understood to be in the race to secure his services (via GIVEMESPORT).
Manchester City do have a £40 million buy-back clause, however, it cannot be triggered until 2024 (via football.london).
Romano has now reported that the Blues could see him as a midfield solution at Stamford Bridge. The Italian journalist highlighted Lavia's links to the club's current Co-Director of Recruitment and Talent Joe Shields, who helped the Belgian build his career.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT:
"Romeo Lavia is a player Chelsea love. Chelsea have Joe Shields at the club, who is the director who signed Romeo Lavia for Manchester City's Academy and then signed Romeo Lavia at Southampton. He's the man who has built the career of Romeo Lavia, so it's normal to have this kind of link. They are pursuing the player but it's not the only option."
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will secure Lavia's signature.
"There are no conversations over a new deal" - Fabrizio Romano says there is a 'concrete possibility' Chelsea star could leave this summer
According to Romano, it is very likely that the Blues will sell Mateo Kovacic this summer. The Croatian playmaker's existing deal at Stamford Bridge is set to expire next year.
Chelsea want to sell a number of players before June 30 so the sales can be included in their financial accounts for 22/23.
🚨 Chelsea want to sell a number of players before June 30 so the sales can be included in their financial accounts for 22/23.
Aubameyang, Kovacic, Pulisic, Ziyech, Mendy, Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek are all set to depart.
(Source: @standardsport) https://t.co/d5gwijOHe9
As per the transfer reporter, talks over a contract extension are yet to take place between the club and the player. The West London outfit could be looking to cash in on the Croatian as they would prefer not to let him go on a free transfer next summer.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT:
"For Kovacic, at the moment, there are no conversations over a new deal, so there is a concrete possibility for him to leave. It's true that there are clubs pursuing him in Germany and also in England, of course, but nothing is advanced because Chelsea want important money. They don't want to give players for free. They don't want to give players on loan."
The Blues are currently 12th in the Premier League table. They have Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United left to play this term.