Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea made huge bid for Prem star just weeks after signing, as Boehly fallout from first window continues

Romeo Lavia, James Maddison August 2022

Chelsea made a late transfer bid for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia just weeks after moved to the south coast, a report has claimed.

The Blues proved to be one of the busiest Premier League clubs on Thursday’s deadline day. In fact, announcing the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria after midnight was a sign of their scramble for signings.

But, Chelsea had ties to more players as the summer transfer window reached its climax.

The Stamford Bridge club failed with a £43million bid for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez before turning to Switzerland star Zakaria.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea also went after Southampton’s 18-year-old star Lavia.

Indeed, the London club supposedly offered £50million for the teenager on deadline day. He moved to the Saints for £12million at the start of July.

The Saints signed the Belgian from Manchester City’s academy at the start of July. And Lavia, a Belgium Under-21 international, has made an instant impression in the Premier League.

The youngster scored against Chelsea on Tuesday in their 2-1 win at St Mary’s, which could well have prompted the Blues’ transfer interest.

However, Southampton immediately rejected Chelsea’s bid. Not only has he just signed for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, but he also has a five-year contract, adding more protection against an already highly unlikely proposition.

Lavia played every minute of Southampton’s first four Premier League matches this season.

Although, he only lasted 59 minutes against Chelsea due to a hamstring injury. And Hasenhuttl has admitted that Lavia faces around six weeks on the sidelines.

Lavia will come back stronger for Southampton

Lavia will no doubt feel frustrated at his injury setback so early into his Southampton career – especially after his flying start.

However, he must realise the quick progress he has made and put that towards his motivation to return.

Lavia only made two appearances for Man City – who have a £40million buy-back clause on him – in his time there.

As such, given he is only just starting out in the Premier League, he has made an impressive start.

In the meantime, Lavia is one of four youngsters Southampton signed from Man City’s academy this summer.

Samuel Edozie, Gavin Bazunu and Juan Larios are also starring in the Saints first team this term and will be looking to take up the baton from Lavia.

Chelsea idea right, but execution wrong

As for Chelsea, it is clear to see their intentions with trying to sign Lavia – to add to their exciting midfield prospects they signed this summer.

The Blues brought in Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei, who they believe can be part of the spine of their midfield in the future.

And they clearly thought Lavia, another impressive teenage talent, fitted into that bracket too.

While they have the right idea in trying to plan for the future, there was no way Southampton were going to let Lavia go.

Chelsea have caught the headlines for their spending this summer. This will only add to the talk around new majority owner Todd Boehly.