Following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship after an 11-year stint in the Premier League, the club is bracing for a potential fire sale of their players. Among those who could attract significant interest is Romeo Lavia, a promising midfielder signed from Manchester City for £10 million last summer. Despite the disappointing campaign, Lavia emerged as one of the standout performers for Southampton. Fortunately for Chelsea, City’s buyback option for Lavia is not expected to be activated until 2024.
Lavia’s Impressive Displays Garner Chelsea’s Attention
Chelsea’s interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia remains evident as the club closely monitored the youngster’s performances throughout the previous season. Lavia, who showcased his talents despite Southampton’s disappointing campaign, has attracted attention as a potential reinforcement for Chelsea’s midfield. The Blues’ pursuit of Lavia, however, does not deter their rumored pursuit of Moises Caicedo, the highly-regarded Brighton star.
With a reported valuation of £75 million, Caicedo has emerged as a target for both Chelsea and Arsenal, with Mauricio Pochettino eyeing the Ecuadorian as his first signing as Chelsea manager. As the club aims to strengthen their engine room, these potential acquisitions highlight Chelsea’s determination to bolster their midfield options and assemble a formidable squad capable of challenging for silverware in the upcoming season.
Potential Departures Create Room for Reinforcements
In addition to pursuing Lavia and potentially Caicedo, Chelsea could face the departures of key midfielders Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante, as they seek new challenges elsewhere. The potential exits of three first-team midfielders create space for Chelsea to secure a suitable replacement to partner their record signing Enzo Fernandez. The club’s continuous links to Caicedo suggest that Brighton’s talented midfielder remains a target for Mauricio Pochettino in his first signing as Chelsea manager.
As Southampton weighs the possibility of selling Romeo Lavia, their reported asking price of £50 million highlights the value they place on the young Belgian midfielder. Chelsea’s negotiations with Southampton indicate their intent to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season, as they strive for success both domestically and in European competitions.
