Chelsea are set for yet another busy summer transfer window as Todd Boehly prepares to overhaul Graham Potter's squad once again with a number of incoming and outgoings. The Blues have spent over £600million on new signings since Boehly and the Clearlake Capital consortium completed a £4billion takeover at Stamford Bridge.
Midfield remains a key area to improve despite the addition of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in the January transfer window. N'Golo Kante is yet to sign a new contract and could leave the Blues on a free transfer this summer after being hampered by injuries this season.
Chelsea were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton last summer but could reignite their interest ahead of next season. The Belgian midfielder is considered as one of the best talents in the Premier League after completing a £12million move from Manchester City to the Saints ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
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The Blues had an offer in the region of £50million rebuffed by Southampton just weeks after they signed Lavia from the reigning Premier League champions. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea retain a serious interest in the midfielder but face competition from Arsenal, whilst City have a buy-back clause included in Lavia's contract that will become active in 2024.
Romano added that Joe Shields, who has since joined Chelsea from his role at Southampton, was crucial in helping the Saints secure Lavia's signing last summer. Boehly could look to use Shields in the Blues pursuit for the 19-year-old talent and bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer before City can act on their buy-back clause in 2024.
football.london understands Arsenal are prioritising a move for West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer. This may allow the west Londoners to beat their Premier League rivals to Lavia's signing and bolster Potter's midfield options ahead of next season.
Should the Saints be relegated this season, they may be willing to accept a significantly lower fee than what Chelsea offered last summer for the midfielder. Lavia is valued at €25million (£22million), as per Transfermarkt, which would be less than half of what the Blues offered Saints ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
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