Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £58m deal for Southampton's Romeo Lavia, with the Blues set to beat Premier League rivals Liverpool to the signing of the midfielder.
The 19-year-old joined the Saints from Manchester City last summer and impressed during his first spell of regular first-team football, although he could not prevent the South-coast club from being relegated.
Lavia made 29 league appearances for Southampton - 26 of which came from the start, scoring his maiden goal in senior football during a victory over Chelsea at St Mary's in August 2022.
The one-time Belgium international has not featured for Russell Martin's second-tier Saints so far this term, however the youngster was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on August 4.
According to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea and Southampton have agreed a deal worth £58m for the transfer of Lavia, meaning that Liverpool are set to miss out on another midfield target this summer.
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It is understood that the Blues will pay an initial £53m for the Belgian's services, with an extra £5m arriving in the form of add-ons should certain conditions be reached.
The report adds that personal terms between Lavia and the West Londoners are yet to be finalised, and that the player's switch to Stamford Bridge is subject to him completing a medical.
It was reported earlier this month that Jurgen Klopp's side had agreed a £60m deal with Southampton for the 19-year-old, although Liverpool are now preparing to lose the race for the player's signature.
Lavia is said to have selected a move to Stamford Bridge over Anfield, preferring the possibility of linking up with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the Blues' engine room.
The Ecuador international made a £115m switch from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea earlier this week, despite Liverpool confirming they had agreed a deal worth £110m for the 21-year-old.
© Chelsea FC
Pep Guardiola's Citizens will have an eye on the midfielder's possible move to West London, with Man City set to pocket 20% of the total profit that Southampton earn from the sale of Lavia.
Liverpool are reportedly turning their attention to other transfer targets following the decisions of both Caicedo and Lavia to join Chelsea, with the Merseyside club said to be interested in Fluminense's Andre.
The 22-year-old made his debut for Brazil during a friendly against Senegal in June and has established himself as a key man for the Team of Warriors, starting 15 of his side's league matches this term.
Chelsea could be in the position to hand both Caicedo and Lavia their debuts when Mauricio Pochettino's men travel to face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Carter White
