Chelsea is preparing to renew its pursuit of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this month, according to “allfootballleague.com.”
Lavia joined Southampton from Manchester City in July, although Chelsea had a late offer for the 19-year-old Belgian rejected later in the same transfer window.
Since then, Chelsea’s signing of recruiting head Joe Shields has irritated Southampton. Shields, who is expected to begin as co-director of recruiting and talent for the Blues at the end of the month, was part of the City team that signed Lavia in 2020 and brought him to St. Mary’s last summer.
Chelsea’s new transfer staff are significant admirers of Lavia outside Shields, and sources have indicated to 90min that a January offer is being considered.
As was the case in the summer, Southampton is desperate to retain Lavia and is hesitant to do business with Chelsea due to the Blues’ pursuit of Shields. However, the Saints are anticipated to listen to proposals if the asking price is sufficient.
It is said that Southampton may want as much as £50 million to part ways with Lavia, as they anticipate a January shopping binge to fend off relegation.
Scott Saunders is now hosting Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth on the most recent edition of Talking Transfers. This week, the panel discusses Manchester United’s interest in Mohammed Kudus, Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea, Jude Bellingham’s choice, and Mykhaylo Mudryk’s potential transfer destination. Available across all audio formats.
If this embed is not visible, listen to the podcast!
After 18 games, Southampton is at the bottom of the Premier League standings and is eager to spend heavily to strengthen Nathan Jones’ ailing side. Mislav Orsic has already arrived from Dinamo Zagreb, while intriguing teenage midfielder Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to fly in for a physical when a transfer price has been agreed upon.
Although Southampton has yet to see the best of the 19-year-old Lavia, selling him would be a specific method for them to fund their goals. His first six months at the club were affected by a hamstring injury he suffered in August’s 2-1 victory against Chelsea, in which he scored a magnificent goal before hobbling off the field in the 60th minute.
The injury occurred in Lavia’s fifth outing for Southampton, and he has since made four more appearances, all of which ended in a loss as the Saints’ relegation woes have deepened.
