Roméo Lavia, a midfielder for Southampton, has “big fans” in Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano, who spoke exclusively to GIVEMESPORT.
The Italian journalist claims there is a solid connection between the player and the west London club because of director Joe Shields. The 19-year-old has been widely linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Roméo Lavia, a Chelsea transfer news item
Earlier this month, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that Lavia is unquestionably a player who Chelsea admire.
The Belgian appears achievable this summer with Southampton’s relegation to the Championship. However, the Blues will need to pull out their money if they want to sign him.
The Athletic claims that despite being relegated, Southampton still wants roughly £50 million for him.
But according to the same source, if Chelsea decides to make a bid for Lavia during the transfer season, they will try to sign him for less money.
What has Fabrizio Romano stated on Chelsea and Roméo Lavia?
According to Romano, Chelsea’s co-director of talent and recruiting Shields, who took the Belgian international to Manchester City and later Southampton while working there, is the one driving Chelsea’s interest in Lavia.
The transfer specialist explained to GIVEMESPORT that Lavia has a strong connection because Joe Shields, one of Chelsea’s directors, signed Roméo Lavia at Manchester City before moving on to Southampton. They are huge Roméo Lavia supporters.
Why is Roméo Lavia so beloved by Chelsea?
Lavia, who Nathan Redmond praised for having “unbelievable quality,” excelled in the Premier League last year and, at the age of just 19, has already represented Belgium in international competition.
He made 2.1 tackles per game in the 2022–23 season, which was the second-highest average on his team, according to WhoScored.
Lavia has also performed in the 96th percentile for blocks among midfielders over the past year, according to FBref, demonstrating that the midfielder from Southampton is not hesitant to put his life on the line.
In April, Roméo’s previous manager Pep Guardiola told reporters and City’s official website, “I am really impressed with what Roméo has done and is doing.” “We had and still do have a great opinion of him. We considered keeping him, but it’s possible that he wouldn’t get as many minutes as he does in Southampton.
In the end, it makes sense why Chelsea would want Lavia, who might inject some life and newness into Mauricio Pochettino’s midfield in the upcoming campaign.