Chelsea have made a £48million offer for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia in a bid snatch him from under the noses of Liverpool.
Liverpool have been in talks over the 19-year-old all summer but they have had three bids rejected and Chelsea have swooped to hijack their deal.
Chelsea want to sign two players to transform their midfield and are also optimistic they have made a breakthrough in talks over Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
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Southampton want £50m for Lavia and Chelsea hope to pip Liverpool to his signing.
Chelsea face Jurgen Klopp’s side in their opening game of the season on Sunday and their move for Lavia will add spice to the clash at Stamford Bridge.
Missing out on the Belgium international would be a major blow for the Merseyside club, who have been criticised for their lack of progress in a deal for him.
Their latest offer of £45m was rejected by Southampton and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has branded their transfer dealings “embarrassing”.
The Sky Sports pundit said on Twitter: “If you don’t think he’s worth £50m move on. If you really want him, pay it.”
Lavia’s close personal connection to Chelsea director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields could be key to their pursuit of him. Shields signed Lavia at Southampton last summer.
Chelsea have also made progress in their move for Caicedo after a successful round of talks with Brighton on Wednesday.
The Blues have discussed a payment structure over a £90m package which will include a further £10m in add-ons, and are increasingly confident of striking a deal for the 21-year-old Ecuador international.
That would get the fee to the £100m that Brighton are demanding. However, Liverpool have themselves made contact over a move.
Caicedo has already agreed personal terms on a move to Stamford Bridge and missed training this week in a bid to force through a deal.
Chelsea’s move for two midfielders throws Conor Gallagher’s future into increased doubt. The 23-year-old is open to staying at Stamford Bridge but continues to be offered to rival clubs.
West Ham had a £40m bid rejected last month, while Tottenham are also monitoring his situation.
Chelsea are short of midfield options after losing N’Golo Kante Mateo Kovacic this summer. They also sold Jorginho to Arsenal in January.
Mauricio Pochettino has just Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Carney Chukwuemeka and new signing Lesley Ugochukwu as options to play in his midfield three against Liverpool on Sunday.
Christopher Nkunku, who is primarily an attacker but can play in midfield, is set to be sidelined for four months with a knee injury.
