Romeo Lavia to Chelsea transfer: Talks opened, Hazard role, secret weapon, Southampton demand
Chelsea is strongly linked with a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia as part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans to strengthen his central midfield options. Despite Southampton's relegation from the Premier League, the 19-year-old impressed in his 35 appearances for the club. Lavia joined Southampton from Manchester City last summer and caught the attention of Chelsea, who made inquiries about signing him. However, a deal did not materialize, and Lavia remained at Southampton, even scoring the winning goal against Chelsea in a subsequent match.
It is reported that Pochettino is looking to bring in two new midfielders, and Lavia is seen as a perfect addition by many at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has initiated talks with Southampton regarding the transfer of Lavia during the upcoming summer transfer window. However, Southampton is standing firm on their valuation, which is believed to be between £40 million and £50 million. The high price tag may be attributed to three clauses inserted into Lavia's contract after his departure from Manchester City. One clause allows City to match any bid made for Lavia, with a buyback clause of around £40 million included as well. Another clause entitles City to 20% of any future sale, which would amount to £10 million if Chelsea were to pay £50 million for Lavia.
In addition to the negotiations and price tag, Lavia has reportedly sought advice from Chelsea legend Eden Hazard. The Belgian midfielder has spoken with Hazard about his experiences at Stamford Bridge, and Hazard is said to have actively encouraged Lavia to seize the opportunity to join Chelsea if it arises.
Interestingly, Chelsea may possess a secret weapon in their pursuit of Lavia. The club's director, Joe Shields, previously worked at Southampton and played a role in negotiating Lavia's move from Manchester City to Southampton. Now, in his new position at Chelsea, Shields could utilize his past relationship and knowledge of the player to facilitate a potential transfer.
The potential acquisition of Romeo Lavia would significantly bolster Chelsea's midfield department and align with their ambitions to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. However, the negotiation process may be influenced by Southampton's firm valuation and the contractual clauses associated with Lavia's previous club, Manchester City. As talks progress and decisions are made, Chelsea remains focused on securing the talented midfielder and adding him to their ranks at Stamford Bridge.
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