Belgian footballer, Romeo Lavia has opted to join Chelsea over Liverpool this summer despite a £60m bid from Liverpool.
The two clubs who drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 13, were initially locked in talks to sign Moises Caicedo. And despite Liverpool agreeing a deal with Brighton, Chelsea swooped in with a Premier League record £115million offer. They’ve now confirmed the signing of the Ecuadorian footballer.
Monday morning brought news of a £60 million package agreed with Southampton for Lavia, though it was stated that the 19-year-old preferred a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Now, The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reports that Lavia has decided to join Chelsea instead of Liverpool, following Caicedo to West London.
The transfer will be worth around £50 million plus add-ons, with “no issues” expected between the two clubs, who enjoy strong relations.
Ornstein tweeted;
“Romeo Lavia has chosen to join Chelsea from Southampton. Liverpool were pursuing but are aware of decision. #CFC & #SaintsFC have good relations, so no issues expected on deal or personal terms. Fee likely to be around £50m + add-ons”
🚨 Romeo Lavia has chosen to join Chelsea from Southampton. Liverpool were pursuing but are aware of decision. #CFC & #SaintsFC have good relations, so no issues expected on deal or personal terms. Fee likely to be around £50m + add-ons @TheAthleticFC #LFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 14, 2023
No announcement has been made as of yet, but in all likelihood Liverpool will need to move on to alternative targets once again.
This comes despite previous reports of personal terms being agreed with Lavia, with unsuccessful bids of £37 million, £41 million, and £46 million then leading the Reds to briefly look elsewhere.
Fellow Premier League operators in the form of Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha had been touted as possible avenues, though the former’s lofty price-tag and the latter’s shoulder injury will prove obstructive.
With limited time left in the window, Liverpool simply can’t afford to waste time and potentially valuable points this term in our pursuit of top four football on ‘maybes’.
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