Chelsea have AGREED a deal with Southampton for Romeo Lavia worth £58m after the midfielder snubbed Liverpool on Monday, with his medical to take place this week
Chelsea AGREED with Southampton for £58m worth of Romeo Lavia after the midfielder rejected Liverpool on Monday, with his medical this week
Chelsea have agreed a £58 million deal with Southampton for 19-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Saints star has been the subject of an intense transfer battle between The Blues and Liverpool, but will make the move to Stamford Bridge to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Lavia looked set to move to Anfield as Jürgen Klopp targeted the former Manchester City academy product in a bid to bolster his options in midfield before knocking off the Reds.
The deal includes a further £5 million in add-ons, with Chelsea’s spending under US owner Todd Boehly now poised to break the £1 billion mark.
Mail Sport revealed on Monday that the Belgian had accepted a move to Chelsea as Lavia joins Chelsea’s new £115 million contract Moises Caicedo in turning down a proposal from Liverpool.
Chelsea have agreed a £58 million deal with Southampton for 19-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino (pictured) plans to boost his midfield with the acquisition of Lavia
Lavia joined Southampton from Manchester City last season after impressing during his formative years in the academy with the reigning Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola rejected the buy-back option included in his contract with the south coast club, but will recover 20 per cent of the resale fee from the Chelsea deal.
The amount City will receive should average around £11.6 million once Lavia signs on the dotted line to become Chelsea’s latest summer recruit.
Lavia – a Belgium international – enjoyed a breakthrough in England’s top flight last season, making 29 Premier League appearances, but was unable to help the Saints stay clear of the drop zone.
His decision to reject Liverpool means Klopp will now look for alternatives during the remaining days of the transfer window.
Manchester City will get back 20 per cent of the deal after including a sell-on clause in his Southampton contract
The 19-year-old will undergo his medical at Chelsea later this week, after an agreement has been reached
The Reds had rejected three bids for the newcomer and failed to secure a deal to match Southampton’s £50 million asking price with their best bid of £45 million still falling short.
Lavia indicated on Monday that Chelsea was his preferred option, as it became clear the London side were prepared to live up to Southampton’s appreciation for the midfielder.
However, it is likely that Stamford Bridge’s newest recruit will need some time to get back to fitness before he is ready to rejoin the Premier League.
Lavia was part of Southampton’s pre-season tour but has not played a single minute for Russell Martin’s side in the Championship this season.