According to reports, Chelsea holds a strong admiration for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. Hence, they are continuing to monitor his progress. However, Romano states that the competition to secure his signature during the summer transfer window is still open. Thus, indicating that other clubs are also showing interest in acquiring the talented player.
Shields was responsible for bringing the 19-year-old Lavia to Southampton from Manchester City. According to BBC Sport, the Saints secured his services in a transfer deal valued at approximately £14 million. Despite joining the club just last July, Lavia’s stint at Southampton seems to be coming to an end due to their relegation to the Championship.
Fabrizio Romano said: “Lavia remains a player they appreciate, a player on the list. There are also other clubs in for Roméo Lavia, so the race is open and I’m sure that things will happen because this is a player for the Premier League, not the Championship.”
How can Lavia be useful to Chelsea?
Indeed, as Romano hinted, it appears highly improbable for Lavia to move to the Championship. Being a Premier League player, he is likely too talented to consider a move to the second division of English football.
Lavia has been praised as a “press-resistant” midfielder by Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic. With his remarkable skills, the Belgian international possesses a lot to offer to clubs like Chelsea or Arsenal.
Lavia’s statistics from last season further highlight his contributions on the field. He averaged 2.1 tackles per game, which was the second-highest in his squad, as reported by WhoScored. Additionally, he was fouled 1.7 times per match, surpassing any other player at St Mary’s. These numbers demonstrate Lavia’s ability to win back possession effectively and his skill in holding onto the ball, forcing opponents to resort to fouling him at times.
Southampton is now seeking a fee of up to £50 million for Lavia. Despite initially acquiring him from Manchester City for £14 million.
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