Liverpool are reportedly weighing up an improved offer to sign Romeo Lavia, with Chelsea making a surprise offer for the Southampton midfielder on Wednesday night.
According to the Telegraph, the Reds are eager to finally secure the teenager’s signature having played an agonisingly slow game with the Saints over a fee for Lavia, with the Championship side wanting £50m.
Having had three bids rejected, Chelsea last night came in with £48m bid for Lavia, a move that many might see as a ploy to get Liverpool to match Southampton’s asking price for the Belgian international.
With Chelsea also struggling in their own battle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo, there is also the idea that the Blues made this Lavia bid to put pressure on the Seagulls into selling the Ecuadorian to the Blues.
However, whether or not Chelsea sign Lavia is now up in the air, but one thing that could now result from this move is Liverpool making a fourth and potentially final bid for the Southampton star.
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Hailed by Total Football Analysis as a ‘phenomenal’ talent, the 19-year-old would be an incredible addition to Liverpool’s ranks ahead of the new season, and a £50m bid could finally be on its way to Southampton.
Liverpool simply have to pay Southampton what they want for Lavia
Liverpool fans and pundits have now hit a breaking point over the club’s pursuit for Lavia, with many former players turning on FSG and the club’s transfer team on how they have approached this deal.
Having had three offers rejected for Lavia, there’s now a chance that Liverpool could flat-out miss out on the teenager if Southampton chooses to accept Chelsea’s offer for the Belgian talent.
As a result, Liverpool simply have to make a £50m bid to get Lavia over the line before it all becomes too late for the Reds to bring the Championship star to Anfield this window.