Liverpool risk missing out on Romeo Lavia after Chelsea swooped in with an offer reported to be worth £48million for the Southampton midfielder on Wednesday night. Jurgen Klopp’s side have long been the frontrunners to sign Lavia and were the only club seemingly in talks with Southampton for the teenager, seeing three bids rejected.
But the two sides have been unable to strike an agreement on a fee with Liverpool reluctant to meet the £50m asking price. The Reds had a third offer worth close to £46m rejected earlier this week and there was a suggestion Liverpool would return with a fourth and final bid to match Southampton’s valuation.
However, they’ve been beaten to the post by Chelsea who have reportedly made an official approach to sign the 19-year-old. According to The Athletic, Chelsea have sent a £48m offer including add-ons for the signing of Lavia.
It’s the closest bid Southampton have received this summer to their £50m asking price and talks are said to be ongoing. The bid will come as bad news for Liverpool, who may now have to get involved in a bidding war with Chelsea for Lavia’s signature.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool are keen to bolster their midfield department in the final few weeks of the transfer window. Chelsea had earmarked Moises Caicedo as their top target, but they’ve been repeatedly knocked back by Brighton.
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The south coast side are demanding £100million with Chelsea failing to meet that valuation yet. But it appears Lavia is not an alternative to Caicedo but an addition to, with the Blues lacking in central midfielders after a busy summer of outgoings.
Klopp has already stated that he wants to see more new signings at Liverpool following Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai’s arrivals. Speaking earlier in pre-season, Klopp indicated that he expects at least one signing before their opening game againt Chelsea.
“Still three-and-a-half weeks until the first game of the season,” he said. “A few things have to happen before then, definitely, transfer market wise as well.
“That is clear now. And it will happen. New players have to come in. We will have a good team.”