Journo says Liverpool are leading race for teenage Chelsea target

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reveals Liverpool are ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea in signing Romeo Lavia

Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, (h/t Football.London) has confirmed Liverpool are leading the race to sign Romeo Lavia amidst interest from Chelsea and Arsenal.

It is also revealed that the Reds have reached a personal agreement with the player and are preparing an offer of around £35 million for the midfielder.

Chelsea are also in the market for a defensive midfielder, and they have continued their pursuit of Moises Caicedo, who is open to joining the Blues. If they complete the signing of Caicedo quickly, they can pursue the Southampton midfielder. But they have yet to make any contact with the Saints.

However, their talks with Brighton & Hove Albion have reached an impasse over the signing of Caicedo, as the Seagulls are demanding  £100 million while the Blues are ready to offer £80 million for the Ecuadorian.

Meanwhile, Arsenal recently signed Declan Rice from West Ham United, breaking their club record by spending £105 million to sign the England international. They are, however, still hoping to further reinforce their midfield.

Considering Fabinho’s future remains uncertain at Liverpool, the Reds will be hoping to get the 19-year-old midfielder on board as soon as possible. Chelsea currently possesses Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez as first-team midfielders and are in need of a defensive midfielder after N’Golo Kante and Jorginho’s exits in consecutive transfer windows.

We are currently stuck in negotiations with Brighton over the signing of Caicedo, which may have given Liverpool a clear path to sign Lavia. It is a tough situation for the west London giants because it is clear as daylight that only Caicedo won’t be enough to restore the depth and quality of our midfield.

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Moreover, Lavia’s signing would further reinforce Liverpool or Arsenal’s midfield — two of our major PL rivals. Chelsea, meanwhile, are yet to sign a midfielder after selling first-team players such as Mason Mount, Kante, and Mateo Kovacic. It would be a shameful situation if we begin next season with lesser quality in the squad than we had in the last campaign.