There is a rising tension in the race for Romeo Lavia’s signature.
Liverpool shook up the transfer market this week when they swooped in for Chelsea’s top priority target Moisés Caicedo. The Blues have been linked to the Brighton midfielder for the whole of the summer window but Jurgen Klopp’s side pounced with a shock bid that would have shattered the British record.
Liverpool slapped a whooping £111 million on the table in a huge attempt to jeopardize Chelsea’s efforts to sign Caicedo. The two clubs agreed on the fee but after being scheduled for a medical on Merseyside, the 21-year-old turned down the move and made it clear that he would only leave Brighton if it was for a move to Chelsea.
Now, Liverpool could be double stung by the Blues as they have taken the lead in the race for Roméo Lavia. The Reds have been working long and hard to strike a deal with Southampton and have had multiple bids turned down. And despite pretty much always looking the favourites to snap Lavia up, Chelsea are now in pole position.
Sky Sports reported Mauricio Pochettino’s side are ‘close to an agreement’ with the Saints, who have made it clear they are sticking to their £50 million asking price. The Blues made a £48 million bid earlier this week after Liverpool had three of their own knocked back, the latest worth £45 million.
Both teams remain heavily interested in signing the 19-year-old Southampton star and Liverpool are expected to hold further talks over bringing him to Anfield.
The Reds are in desperate need of new defensive midfielders following the departures of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho. Thiago is also being eyed up by Saudi Arabia, which will leave Liverpool with just five players in their engine room if he joins the exodus this summer. As it stands, Stefan Bajcetic is the only natural No.6 on Klopp’s senior roster.
