Chelsea were willing to “take a gamble” and “massively overpay” for Southampton’s 18-year-old midfielder Romeo Lavia with a late effort in the summer window.
What’s the word?
That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones who has claimed, via GIVEMESPORT, that Chelsea have been impressed by the young Belgian and were willing to pay an inflated fee to prise the starlet away from St Mary’s Stadium – despite the midfielder only joining Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side from Manchester City earlier in the window.
But, whilst the Blues were set on signing the starlet, Jones is unsure as to whether a fresh bid will be made in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “They’ve obviously seen something they like. They were willing to massively overpay for him and take a gamble that he is the real deal.
“We’ll see if he stays on their radar for the next window.”
Earlier this month, it was revealed by super-journalist Fabrizio Romano that Chelsea had a £50m bid immediately turned down by Southampton, with the club considering their new signing “one of the best talents around in his position.”
Potter will love him
If Chelsea do indeed keep their interest focused on Lavia, it goes without saying that new manager Graham Potter will love him.
The Belgian possesses a well-rounded and versatile profile akin to that of Moises Caicedo – a promising player that Potter made great use of this season, before departing for Chelsea.
In comparison to the Ecuadorian, Lavia holds his own, which is an extremely promising sign for an 18-year-old who looks to be a level or two above the usual trajectory of highly promising talents.
Having played five out of the first six Premier League games, Lavia is averaging 32.8 accurate passes, 2.1 accurate long balls and 2.1 interceptions per 90, in what has been an entirely productive and seamless adaptation period at Southampton.
Each of the aforementioned metrics see Lavia place second in comparison to his teammates, so he has already asserted himself as one of their key men in what is his maiden full Premier League season.
Potter could make great use of the Belgian starlet, who punished Chelsea by scoring a screamer in Thomas Tuchel’s penultimate Premier League game.