Liverpool have agreed a £60m deal to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton, it has been reported, despite Chelsea having previously seen a £55m offer accepted as the two clubs prepare to do battle once more.
The Premier League pair, who met on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, have been locked in battle over a deal for Moises Caicedo in recent days, but the Ecuadorian now looks set to join Chelsea for a Premier League record £115m, where he will sign an eight-year deal with a further option of an extra year.
The two sides played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, a game which demonstrated both sides’ need for a new defensive midfielder despite some intricate attacking play.
Now, they are set to battle it out for Lavia, with the Southampton man thought to favour a switch to Liverpool but having already ‘celebrated’ a move to Chelsea with his friends over the weekend.
Both sides have had bids accepted, though the raised offer from Liverpool will force Chelsea to raise theirs in turn. Just 24 hours ago, it was claimed that the Lavia had accepted he would be joining Chelsea, despite having previously been under the impression that Liverpool would be signing him just a week ago.
It is added that ‘there are indications that Lavia favours a move to Chelsea’, which could throw yet another spanner in the works for Liverpool and their frustrating summer transfer window, which has seen them start the new season with just Stefan Bajcetic as a recognised defensive midfielder among their ranks.
