Both Arsenal and Liverpool have jumped in front of Chelsea in the race to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton this summer.
football.london understands Chelsea held initial talks with Saints last month over a possible deal to sign the Belgian midfielder but interest has somewhat cooled in recent weeks. Southampton want £50million for Lavia, with the knowledge of Manchester City having a £40million buy-back option that becomes available next summer.
Chelsea remain interested in the 19-year-old defensive midfielder, but their attention at the moment – in the midfield department at least – is on Moises Caicedo from Brighton. The Blues recently reopened negotiations with the Seagulls over the Ecuador international, who has verbally agreed on personal terms to complete a move to Stamford Bridge.
The problem, though, for Chelsea is agreeing a deal with Brighton who have proven to be shrewd negotiators in recent transfer windows when it comes to selling their star players. Brighton want around £80million for Caicedo, whose wish to leave the club was discussed with Roberto De Zerbi during the season, but Chelsea do not wish to pay that sum in a one-off fee.
Instead, the Blues would rather structure the deal in an alternative way as they have done with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Wesley Fofana over the past 12 months. The west Londoners would want to include add-ons and possible bonuses when striking a deal with Brighton.
The focus for Chelsea has been on landing Caicedo meaning their interest in Lavia has been pushed to the side – for the minute anyway. Arsenal and Liverpool have both held talks with Southampton in recent days to discuss the future of the Belgium international following the Saints' relegation to the Championship.
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The Gunners, who are on the verge of signing Declan Rice for more than £100million, are planning on making a move for Lavia in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Liverpool, who have signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai thus far this window, are also looking to add Lavia to their midfield ranks ahead of next season.
A source has told football.london that talks with Liverpool over a move to Anfield have "gone well" in recent days, which is bad news for Chelsea. This has not completely ruled Chelsea out of the race but with attention now firmly on Caicedo, the Lavia deal is looking less and less likely with each passing day.
Newly-appointed Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino hinted at multiple incomings over the summer transfer window in what was his first interview since taking over at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine was full of praise for the squad of players already at the club's disposal but suggested there would be numerous incomings in through the door over the next couple of months.
"If we are all together, we are going to be very strong," Pochettino said on his first day at Cobham. "We have an unbelievable squad and for sure are going to bring players with commitment who want to be part of it also. With the fans and everyone, we can find again the way to be successful.
"It is not closed, the squad, and the club is doing a fantastic job to finish the squad so we have the players here to work with us as soon as possible. Together, we are going to be in a perfect situation to work and develop the way we want to apply ourselves on the pitch."
