Journalist reveals the ‘key moment’ Romeo Lavia decided to join Liverpool instead of Chelsea  medical done today

Journalist reveals the ‘key moment’ Romeo Lavia decided to join Liverpool instead of Chelsea  medical done today 

Moises Caicedo’s message to Romeo Lavia that led to both midfielders snubbing Liverpool

Liverpool were dealt two huge transfer blows this summer with both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia turning down the chance to join them in favour of signing for Chelsea

Romeo Lavia joined Chelsea last week (

Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

For Liverpool this month, it seemed that one failed transfer directly led to another.

The Reds were left seething after being beaten to a key transfer target by Chelsea despite having a bid accepted. Not once of course, but twice, as both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia rejected the chance to head to Anfield.

In what proved an extraordinary week, former Brighton player Caicedo seemed destined for Liverpool after the club made a £105 million bid, surpassing the previous offers of their rivals that had been ultimately rejected by their London rivals. But with his heart set on the Blues, Todd Boehly finally flinched and duly sealed a British record £115 million deal.

Jurgen Klopp and co then duly turned their attention back to Lavia, having previously had three approaches rebuffed by Southampton. But in a case of deja vu, a £60 million bid sufficed only for the player to turn down the move before Chelsea again came in.

But Lavia’s stance was no coincidence it seems. The 19-year-old Belgian starlet had his head turned by Caicedo himself, who after signing on the dotted line promptly went to work on getting the starlet to follow him through the door at Stamford Bridge.

According to a report in the Athletic, Caicedo sent the teenager a message outlining how keen he was to line up alongside him. His words clearly had the desired effect, although it remains to be seen if the duo both get game time against Luton on Friday night.

The club themselves also reportedly used the 21-year-old World Cup star as part of their pitch to Lavia, who was one of the few shining lights as Southampton were relegated to the Championship last season. Despite an underwhelming start to this season following Sunday’s defeat to West Ham, Mauricio Pochettino is clearly building a squad for the future.

Moises Caicedo now holds the British transfer record

HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Chelsea know what they’re doing in the transfer market? Comment below.

Enzo Fernandez is just 22, while Lesley Ugochukwu is only 19, so Lavia seemingly fits in perfectly with the current crop. He also reportedly spoke to compatriot Eden Hazard, who knows a thing or two about representing the Blues.

Regardless, Lavia will hope when his Chelsea bow does come, he enjoys a more positive debut than Caicedo. He came on as a 61st-minute substitute at the London Stadium on Sunday, but his struggles were summed up by conceding an injury-time penalty, which Lucas Paqueta converted to make it 3-1.

The result leaves Chelsea with a haul of just one point, following their draw with Liverpool on the opening weekend. And Pochettino’s men will be under pressure to bounce back when they face newly-promoted Luton at Stamford Bridge.

Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

How Liverpool’s Brazilian Duo is Shaping the Future of Goalkeeping

The Brazilian Connection at Anfield

Marcelo Pitaluga, the 20-year-old prodigy from Brazil, has seamlessly integrated into Liverpool’s goalkeeping fraternity since his move from Fluminense in 2020. The young talent finds himself in the unique position of learning from some of Brazil’s finest, including the world-renowned Alisson Becker and the legendary World Cup winner, Claudio Taffarel.

Pitaluga shared his experiences with the matchday programme, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Alisson. “Having Alisson, a fellow Brazilian and one of the world’s top goalkeepers, has been an invaluable experience,” he said. The guidance from coaches like John Achterberg, Jack Robinson, and especially Taffarel, has been instrumental in his development. “Taffarel’s insights, especially for us Brazilians, are priceless. He’s revered back in Brazil, and working with him and Alisson is a dream come true for a young goalkeeper like me,” Pitaluga added.

Photo IMAGO

The South American Brotherhood

The camaraderie among the South American players at Liverpool is evident. Pitaluga feels right at home, thanks to the support from his fellow countrymen and other South American teammates. “The bond we share makes Anfield feel like a second home,” he remarked.

While Pitaluga has been training with Jürgen Klopp’s first team, he’s also been a consistent presence in Liverpool’s Academy teams. His stint with Macclesfield FC last season proved beneficial, offering him a taste of the physicality of English football. Reflecting on his time there, he said, “The experience was challenging yet rewarding. Playing out from the back isn’t common at that level, but I was fortunate to be with a club that encouraged it. We clinched the title, and I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Looking ahead, Pitaluga is eager to embrace any opportunity that comes his way in the 2023-24 season, further honing his skills between the sticks. “A loan move to a Football League team is on the cards. I’m ready for the next challenge,” he confidently stated.

Man City could block Liverpool from signing key midfield target as club plots bid for £70m England star

Manchester City are considering a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, it has been claimed.

According to Mail Sport, City are weighing up a move for the one cap England international after a deal to land Lucas Paqueta collapsed late last week.

The Palace midfielder has reportedly been on City’s radar for the last six months with senior scouts having been left heavily impressed by his control of games for the south Londoners.

City are still looking for a midfielder given the betting allegations levelled at Paqueta, who had been set to leave West Ham United for a fee in the region of £85million.

Eze, who won his first England cap back in June, has reportedly attracted interest from across the Premier League, after his stellar form under Roy Hodgson at the end of last season. Indeed, Liverpool are among those that have been linked with the Palace star in the past few months.

And according to Sport Mail, City have insisted all simmer that they have merely retained a watching brief of the 25-year-old. Indeed, it remains to be seen whether the Paqueta development will see the Treble winners formalise interest in the player.

Having retained the service of Michael Olise last week despite interest from Chelsea, Palace are reportedly expected to demand north of £70million from any potential suitors for Eze, with the summer window set to shut next week.

However a bid would test Palace’s resolve, with the player having just two years remaining on his deal. Eagles chairman Steve Parish told Sky Sports upon Olise’s contract renewal that the club would demand an enormous fee for their prized assets ahead of next week’s deadline.

Pep Guardiola’s side are without Kevin De Bruyne until the new year through injury, with club eager for another body.

Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and James McAtee can all play in the two spots behind Erling Haaland.

City had been on the hunt for an Ilkay Gundogan replacement even before De Bruyne’s injury.