Chelsea have agreed a deal worth £58m with Southampton to sign Liverpool transfer target Romeo Lavia, according to the Athletic.
The Blues will pay an initial £53m plus £5m in add-ons. Lavia will undergo his medical this week before signing a long-term contract with Mauricio Pochettino’s side
The 19-year-old moved to St Mary’s Stadium last summer from Manchester City, who will are entitled to 20 percent of the profit made from the sale due to a sell-on clause inserted in his deal.
Chelsea again faced competition from Liverpool for the Belgium U-21 international, having beaten the Reds to the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
In both transfers, Jurgen Klopp’s side agreed a deal with two players’ respective clubs but they turned down the opportunity to play at Anfield.
The Merseysiders saw multiple bids rejected for Lavia by the Saints with the latest worth £46m. The South Coast club wanted £50m for the Beglium international but it seems they will pocket more than that.
Lavia is yet to feature for Southampton this season amid interest from the Reds and the West Londoners.
Liverpool will now turn attention to other transfer targets as Klopp looks to bolster his engine room this summer following the exit of five senior midfielders including Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
The German has already made two signings following the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, however Liverpool are expected to at least bring in two more midfielders before the window closes in September.
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