Chelsea is interested in signing Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia if they fail to get Enzo Fernandez, according to talkSPORT.
Lavia just joined Southampton in the summer for £12 million plus add-ons from Manchester City, but it is expected that Chelsea will have to pay more than £50 million to sign him in January.
This season, the 19-year-old has made nine appearances for Nathan Jones’ side and has continued to impress.
Lavia shined and scored in Southampton’s 2-1 win against Chelsea last August.
Chelsea made a £50 million bid for the promising Brussels-born teenager on transfer deadline day last summer, but the Saints turned it down.
The Blues then chose to seek a loan deal for Denis Zakaria, who finally joined the club on loan for the season.
It is reported that Lavia’s old club, Manchester City, has a repurchase option on him if he continues to perform.
Pep Guardiola’s team may re-sign the midfielder for £40 million, although it is unclear whether the defending Premier League winners are interested.
talkSPORT understands Lavia could be seen as an alternative to Benfica’s World Cup ace Fernandez.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the hottest properties after being named the Best Young Player of the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
Fernandez is under contract with Benfica until the end of the 2026-27 season, and Chelsea has supposedly been told to pay the entirety of his £112m release clause to sign him, having seen a second bid of players included turned down.
The Blues have shown a willingness to fork out the desired sum, but their desire to pay the fee in installments to comply with Financial Fair Play rules has not sat well with the Eagles.
Fernandez is now expected to remain in the Portuguese capital for the time being, suggesting Lavia could be the man Chelsea turns to.
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